Soccer fans around the world are bracing for a wave of change as FIFA, the global governing body for football, considers two major shifts ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With the tournament set to be the largest in history—spanning 16 cities across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and featuring a record 48 teams—both the rules on the pitch and the process of securing a coveted seat in the stands could look very different from years past.
First, there’s the potential overhaul of one of soccer’s most nerve-wracking moments: the penalty kick. According to reports that surfaced on September 22, 2025, FIFA’s head of referees, Pierluigi Collina, is championing a dramatic rule change. If approved, the new regulation would mean that whenever a goalkeeper saves a penalty—by catching or parrying the ball—the play would end instantly. No more frantic scrambles for rebounds. The defending team would immediately restart play with a goal kick. The days of attackers pouncing on spilled saves could soon be over, fundamentally altering the drama and tactics of spot kicks.
However, there’s still some uncertainty. What if the ball rebounds off the post or crossbar without the goalkeeper touching it? That detail remains under discussion, and any final wording will need to clarify such scenarios. The proposal, if it survives the rigorous approval process, wouldn’t take effect until after the 2026 World Cup. That means next summer’s historic tournament will be the last to feature the current penalty kick regulations, preserving the familiar tension for at least one more cycle.
But don’t think FIFA can simply wave a magic wand and change the rules overnight. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) holds the exclusive authority to create, amend, or abolish the Laws of the Game. IFAB is composed of eight members: four from FIFA and one each from the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For any rule change to pass, at least six votes are required. FIFA’s bloc of four votes gives it effective veto power—if FIFA is opposed, no proposal can advance, no matter what the British associations want. This unique system is a nod to soccer’s British roots, ensuring that the sport’s foundational voices remain at the table.
While the debate over penalty kicks rages on, another hot topic is dominating fan conversations: ticket prices. The 2026 World Cup is already making headlines for its ticketing strategy, which blends traditional face-value sales with a bold embrace of dynamic pricing. For the first time at a FIFA World Cup, ticket prices for most matches will fluctuate in real-time based on demand—a move that’s sparked both excitement and outrage among fans and politicians alike.
New York City mayor-in-waiting Zohran Mamdani has taken a particularly vocal stance, launching a “Game over Greed” petition that calls on FIFA to cap resale prices and abandon dynamic pricing entirely. “I don’t like having to defend FIFA, which is a rotten organization. But I think Mamdani—who never saw a price control he didn’t like—is misguided on this,” wrote one commentator, reflecting the polarized debate around the issue.
Let’s break down how it works. FIFA’s ticket allocation will unfold in several phases. In the first, Visa card holders can apply to buy up to four tickets each, without knowing which teams they’ll get to see. If selected in the pre-sale lottery, fans receive time slots to exercise their purchase rights. Ticket prices start at $60 for group-stage seats and soar to $6,730 for premium tickets to the final. But here’s the twist: most tickets will be subject to variable, or “dynamic,” pricing. If demand for a particular match or section spikes, so can the price—mirroring the model seen in concerts and U.S. pro sports.
For fans, this means two people could pay very different prices for similar seats, depending on when and how they buy. In the months ahead, FIFA will conduct additional sales rounds, including one after the official World Cup Final Draw in December 2025, when matchups and venues are set. By then, the most desirable games—think a home nation or a classic rivalry—could see ticket prices skyrocket, while less in-demand matches might become bargains.
FIFA will also operate an official resale platform, allowing fans to safely sell tickets at market-driven prices. This is a significant move, especially in the U.S. and Canada, where ticket resale is generally legal and uncapped. Prices on the resale market could swing wildly, offering both risks and rewards for buyers and sellers. As one analysis points out, “Variable pricing goes both ways.” For example, tickets for a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal earlier this year plummeted from $473.90 to just $13.40 as the match approached. Sometimes, waiting pays off—though diehard fans may prefer to pay a premium for certainty and peace of mind.
Critics argue that dynamic pricing and uncapped resale are forms of “gatekeeping,” potentially pricing out less affluent fans. Yet proponents counter that this system helps allocate seats to those who value them most, and that price caps could simply push transactions into black markets. As the commentary notes, “With resale price caps, middling fans who bought early might actually become stuck with tickets to Spain vs. Brazil when someone else wants them more.”
FIFA’s stated goal is to balance maximizing revenue, avoiding half-empty stadiums, and ensuring broad accessibility. By selling some tickets at a low face value and letting others float with demand, the organization hopes to keep venues packed and the atmosphere electric, while capturing more revenue to reinvest in the sport worldwide. The $60 floor for group-stage tickets is as low as any World Cup has seen since 1994, adjusted for inflation, but the dynamic aspect means fans will need to be savvy—and possibly lucky—to snag the best deals.
All of this, of course, is set against the backdrop of a World Cup like no other. The 2026 edition will feature more teams, more matches, and more host cities than ever before. Only 18 countries have qualified so far, and with 104 matches on the schedule, the logistical and economic challenges are immense. FIFA’s embrace of dynamic pricing and a possible penalty kick rule change are both responses to this new era—efforts to modernize the game on and off the field, even if not everyone is happy about it.
As the countdown to June 11, 2026, begins in earnest, fans are left to ponder the future. Will the drama of the penalty kick be forever changed? Can supporters outsmart the ticket market and claim their place in history? One thing’s for sure: the beautiful game is evolving, and the world will be watching every twist and turn.
