ENGLAND FANS COUNT COSTS OF WORLD CUP

ENGLAND fans have been counting the real cost of the World Cup after accusing FIFA of pricing them out of next summer.

- BY JOHN CROSS

One loyal fan has budgeted a trip for two to the tournament in North America at an eye-watering £50,000 for tickets, hotels and flights.

Elsewhere, a WhatsApp group of eight regular England fans who all went to Qatar in 2022 and have not missed a qualifier in this campaign has seen six already say they cannot afford to go.

Although FIFA have now pledged to release a small number of cut-price tickets, most fans will still have to fork out at least £3,120 for the World Cup final and £200 to watch England's opener with Croatia in Dallas.

But the overall cost is the real killer blow for fans, with FIFA sending out an online link this week for members of the England Supporters' Travel Club.