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SFSA NEWS RELEASE   Tartan Army says FIFA legitimacy is at an all time low after World Cup

Date: 1st October 2026

SFSA NEWS RELEASE                                                                                                                

 

 

 

DATE  1st October 2026

 

Tartan Army says FIFA legitimacy is at an all time low

New SFSA research finds overwhelming distrust of FIFA, concern over the cost of attending and frustration at the ticket allocation for Scotland supporters

  • 97% of respondents distrust FIFA, while 99% disagree that it acts in the best interests of supporters
  • Among supporters attending the tournament, 43% spent between £5,000 and £10,000 and 21% spent between £10,000 and £15,000
  • 82% used savings to fund the trip, 49% used credit cards and 24% said they had taken on debt to attend
  • 75% were disappointed that the SFA had not fought for a larger ticket allocation for Scotland supporters
  • 89% said Euro 2024 was better aligned with supporters’ needs

 

Scottish football supporters have delivered an overwhelming vote of no confidence in FIFA. New research by the Scottish Football Supporters’ Association (SFSA) found that 97% of respondents distrust world football’s governing body and 99% disagree that it acts in the best interests of supporters.

 

The findings combine two surveys conducted over six weeks during the second half of the 2026 World Cup and the week after it ended. The research, carried out with University of Stirling researchers Lutz Junghans and Alexander Gibb, received more than 320 valid responses from supporters who travelled to the tournament and those who followed it from home.

 

Respondents were especially concerned about the commercialisation of the tournament and US immigration and visa issues. They placed primary responsibility on FIFA, while many believed the SFA should have used its influence to press FIFA more firmly on supporters’ behalf.

Trust and accountability

  • Around 99% were aware of the debate about commercialisation and US immigration and visa issues
  • Respondents said the commercialisation of the tournament reduced their enjoyment of the World Cup
  • 95% said FIFA should be held accountable for commercialisation, while 82% said it should be accountable for immigration issues
  • 97% distrusted FIFA as an institution
  • 99% disagreed that FIFA acts in the best interests of supporters
  • 82% said the controversies damaged the tournament’s credibility
  • Despite those concerns, only 3% stopped following the World Cup entirely

 

 

Supporters in the stadium and at home

The research also compared the views and behaviour of supporters who attended World Cup matches with those who followed the tournament from home.

  • Stadium goers were younger and more engaged: 94% described themselves as very engaged with Scottish football, compared with 60% of those following from home
  • They were also more likely to share the experience through fan zones or public spaces (47.2% compared with 18.8%) and discussions with family and friends (69.4% compared with 56.3%). Among non-attendees, 29% followed the tournament only through broadcasts at home
  • Distrust of FIFA was almost identical across the two groups: 95% among stadium goers and 99% among those following from home
  • 97% of stadium goers said the World Cup remained culturally significant, compared with 90% of those following from home

 

Experience at Scotland matches

Supporters who attended at least one Scotland match also reported significant problems with transport, ticket access, communication and safety.

  • 85% said transport to and from matches was not good enough
  • 47% said communication from football authorities was poor
  • 33% witnessed an issue at a match that caused them concern about safety
  • 41% were unable to obtain the tickets they wanted

 

 

Support remains strong but confidence is fragile

The findings reveal a Scottish support that remains deeply committed to the national team while becoming increasingly critical of the institution running the global game. Ticket prices, visa rules and distrust of FIFA did not keep supporters away in the numbers some had predicted.

That loyalty is something FIFA continues to rely on. The survey suggests, however, that it should not be taken for granted if costs rise further and supporters continue to feel excluded from decisions that directly affect them.

 

SFSA response

Alexander Gibb, Director of the SFSA, said: “The World Cup raised serious questions about governance at the highest level of the game. Supporters felt FIFA could do what it wanted and, on issues such as dynamic pricing and reduced ticket allocations for qualifying nations, that is exactly what happened. Many believed the SFA and other national associations should have challenged FIFA on their behalf. With 90% saying FIFA’s actions made the tournament inaccessible to ordinary supporters, football’s governing bodies cannot dismiss these concerns.”

 

The expanded tournament’s environmental impact was another major concern, with 90% saying that not enough was being done to address the travel required across three countries.

Gibb added: “The social and cultural benefits of Scotland’s participation must not be lost in the detail of this report. Despite the obstacles placed in their way, our supporters once again represented Scotland with distinction on the world stage.”

 

Notes for editors

 

The SFSA ran two surveys: one during the second half of the 2026 World Cup and a second in the week after the tournament. Conducted with University of Stirling researchers Lutz Junghans and Alexander Gibb, the research received more than 320 valid responses. The sample was predominantly male, older and highly engaged with Scotland’s national team: 87.5% of respondents were male and 69% were over 55. Three quarters followed the wider tournament as well as Scotland’s campaign, mainly through television or streaming at home (91%). Around 43% travelled to the United States and attended at least one match. BBC coverage was the most widely used media source (94%). Facebook, X and YouTube were the main social platforms used for World Cup information, although most respondents did not actively participate in online discussion.

 

 

 

 

What made Euro 2024 better for supporters

 

 

Comments from respondents

 

Ticket prices and other costs

“Ticket prices were appalling. I paid £303 per ticket for Scotland v Haiti but wasn’t prepared to pay £1300 per ticket for [the] Morocco game […]”

 

“I feel ripped off by FIFA, paying £924 for 3 matches. That’s more than the cost of 2 season tickets for my team Aberdeen. £445 for 19 games.”

 

“Being actively targeted and ripped off by businesses like bars and restaurants adding 20% additional service charges as a World Cup premium charge and still expecting tips on top. […]”

“The cost of match tickets, and FIFA becoming a ticket tout with their resale platform with no cap on prices. Plus they take a 30% commission on the resale price.”

 

FIFA governance and integrity

 

“The treatment of the Iranian team was a disgrace, as was the denial of the Somalian referee and the overturning of Folarin Balogun’s red card. These matters reflect a level political interference and corruption which is being fully enabled by Fifa. […]”

 

 

“All issues that affect the basic integrity of the tournament are important & should matter (human rights, environment, fair pricing etc). But it’s easy to become cynical about FIFA tackling any of these with real intent or substance. Fans can see this and don’t expect change given the obvious culture of greed and corruption.”

 

 

Further information about the Scottish Football Supporters’ Association is available at www.scottishfsa.org

 

 

Media enquiries  Alexander@scottishfsa.org  07434 895633    Paul Goodwin  07702 252519

 

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