The cost of supporting England at the World Cup has left fans reeling, with official replica shirts for children priced at a staggering £123.98. This figure, revealed on the Football Association's website, represents the cost of a full kit with name and number for a child aged seven to fifteen. For younger fans, the infant kit costs £64.99.

The total for a family of four wanting England shirts - two adults, one older child, and one toddler - reaches £397.96, a sum that includes adult shirts at £104.99, an older child's shirt, and the infant kit. This pricing strategy contrasts sharply with other nations; fans of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland pay less for Adidas-branded kits than England fans pay for Nike versions. Nike, charging £5 more for England shirts than for club teams like Chelsea and Spurs, cites rising costs for materials, manufacturing, and logistics as justification.

Adidas and Puma also face scrutiny, with their prices exceeding inflation rates since the last World Cup. The FA and kit manufacturers argue the prices reflect technology, quality, and the longevity of international kits, which last two years compared to a single club season. However, the high cost is forcing fans towards the counterfeit market, where fake kits can be purchased for as little as £10, shipped from Asia.

The FA has been contacted for comment.