FIFA faces backlash over high World Cup prices
FIFA faces backlash over high World Cup prices
FIFA faces backlash over high World Cup prices
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has been marred by controversy over exorbitant ticket prices, expensive travel costs, and stringent US entry requirements. Many dedicated soccer fans are finding it difficult to attend the tournament, citing financial constraints and concerns over their safety and welcome in the US.
According to sources, the prices of tickets for the World Cup have soared, with lower-tier Category 3 tickets to group stage matches now costing as much as $265, compared to $69 four years ago. The cost of traveling to and from venues across the US, Canada, and Mexico has also increased, with fans facing significant expenses for flights, accommodation, and transportation.
The situation has led to a significant drop in hotel bookings in many US host cities, with some fans opting to stay away from the tournament altogether. In Uruguay, for example, the president of the travel agency association reported arranging tour packages for approximately 3,000 fans, a figure considerably lower than for recent World Cups.
Some fans have expressed disappointment and frustration with the current state of affairs, with one fan, Tomonori Akutsu, stating that the US has been the "worst host" and demonstrating a "complete lack of hospitality in every aspect." Another fan, Emiliano Becerra, spent $1,200 on a resale ticket to see Argentina's match against Jordan, describing the prices as "absolutely crazy" and "just not possible" for him to attend more matches.
The rising costs and exclusionary practices have threatened to erode the World Cup's unique culture, with many fans feeling that the tournament has become inaccessible to all but the wealthy. Mark Doidge, a sociologist at England's Loughborough University, warned that the World Cup has long been defined by its traveling supporters, and rising costs risk alienating these passionate fans.
Despite the challenges, some fans remain undeterred, with the Scots being a notable exception. Campbell Lewis and his friends began booking refundable accommodations across the US as soon as Scotland qualified, anticipating price hikes. Lewis purchased two tickets for Scotland's second match, but is still waiting to secure tickets for the team's opener against Haiti, where the cheapest resale ticket exceeded $600.
US officials have pushed back against concerns about an unwelcoming environment, with Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House's World Cup task force, stating that America welcomes fans to the tournament.
Jules Boykoff, author of Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine, argued that the tournament has become a giant profit-making machine, with FIFA's decision to stage the event across three vast countries and impose stringent entry requirements threatening to suck the joy out of the tournament. Boykoff also noted that the travel restrictions imposed on World Cup visitors "slices mightily against the FIFA slogan that 'football unites the world'" and that the exclusionary practices may put a serious damper on the fun.
