FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[*Ace*]

I don't know if anyone has shared this already. But here is a comparison between World Cup 2022 and 2026 ticket prices.

That's an insane kind of rise mate.    By the way I don't think people would like to pay that ridiculous amount of money for the opening match which is Mexico - South Africa. Nothing interesting about it.

Maybe there might be a good show in the opening but still the match isn't attracting. I really wonder how much the ticket revenue will be compared to 2022 by the end of the tournament.

This picture has already been in this thread, but I think the topic of ticket prices will be relevant until the very end of this World Cup. I would also like to point out the following: we are comparing ticket prices with Qatar, which has one of the highest standards of living, but the ticket prices were reasonable. The US is a developed country, but it has its own nuances (half a million bankruptcies a year for those who can't pay their medical bills), and such ticket prices are a slap in the face to all ordinary people.

The prices are outrageous, there is no other way to put it. Especially because this is not only about the US but the whole world, and there are many fans from third-world countries. And I keep wondering who is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to go watch a game with Curaçao, Tunisia, etc.

Let's also not forget that American sports are very expensive when it comes to go to the stadium: single or seasonal tickets cost way more than European football tickets. It's always about the money but the US bring this concept beyond any limit.

It's not just a question of the United States; ticket prices for World Cup matches have always been expensive, even very expensive.
Perhaps in America they have raised the price even more, but they are banking on the fact that fans are willing to pay exorbitant prices to see a World Cup match.
Or maybe they don't know that not everyone in the world earns as much as they do in America!

[tbterryboy]

it all comes down to money and profit rather than sporting reasons. 
Just look at the current ticket prices for the World Cup. Who among the ordinary fans can afford that? 
Football is increasingly becoming just business and less sport. 
The current FIFA president knew how he would gain support for his new term as FIFA president; he simply promised many countries that he would expand the number of World Cup participants, thus securing his new term. 
In the end, it all comes down to politics and business, and sport and sporting motives no longer exist in the whole story.

After watching ticket prices and many other restrictions by Donald Trump administration it looks like this event is prepared for elite class because even from the USA many are not able to go and watch lives games in Stadium many wants to give support their countries specially those are living in for years, and it's now time for showing some love and faith with their respective countries.

This time World Cup have 48 countries while it's also going to be played in 3 countries, but situation is going to be not favourable for many to not support in stadiums just have enough fun and entertainment through online stuff too many countries already have Visa issues and now many are not able to spend this amount hopefully things will be good for them in upcoming world cups.

[Zlantann]

It's not just a question of the United States; ticket prices for World Cup matches have always been expensive, even very expensive.
Perhaps in America they have raised the price even more, but they are banking on the fact that fans are willing to pay exorbitant prices to see a World Cup match.
Or maybe they don't know that not everyone in the world earns as much as they do in America!

The price might be reduced if some games begin to experience empty stadiums. I remember that the tickets for the recent FIFA Club World Cup competition was reduced because it was undersold. With most countries going through economic problems I doubt that many people would want to spend so much in tickets mainly in matches between low ranked countries. Let's wait and see how the attendance will turn out but my prediction is that it wouldn't be high in some games.

[aipercoin]

The prices are outrageous, there is no other way to put it. Especially because this is not only about the US but the whole world, and there are many fans from third-world countries. And I keep wondering who is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to go watch a game with Curaçao, Tunisia, etc.

Let's also not forget that American sports are very expensive when it comes to go to the stadium: single or seasonal tickets cost way more than European football tickets. It's always about the money but the US bring this concept beyond any limit.

Prices are really exaggerated, but let's always remember that these events are rare, even if i don't justify taking advantage of a certain country as is done in this case, by setting prices like that you prevent access to some fans who want to see their own national team.

[Not your key not your BTC]

It's not just a question of the United States; ticket prices for World Cup matches have always been expensive, even very expensive.
Perhaps in America they have raised the price even more, but they are banking on the fact that fans are willing to pay exorbitant prices to see a World Cup match.
Or maybe they don't know that not everyone in the world earns as much as they do in America!

The price might be reduced if some games begin to experience empty stadiums. I remember that the tickets for the recent FIFA Club World Cup competition was reduced because it was undersold. With most countries going through economic problems I doubt that many people would want to spend so much in tickets mainly in matches between low ranked countries. Let's wait and see how the attendance will turn out but my prediction is that it wouldn't be high in some games.

If ticket prices don't drop, matches between smaller teams will be filled with empty seats because people won't want to attend. Stadiums might be full when the big teams play, even with expensive tickets. However, if FIFA doesn't change ticket prices, this World Cup will be the one with the lowest attendance in history.

[SuperBitMan]

It's not just a question of the United States; ticket prices for World Cup matches have always been expensive, even very expensive.
Perhaps in America they have raised the price even more, but they are banking on the fact that fans are willing to pay exorbitant prices to see a World Cup match.
Or maybe they don't know that not everyone in the world earns as much as they do in America!

The price might be reduced if some games begin to experience empty stadiums. I remember that the tickets for the recent FIFA Club World Cup competition was reduced because it was undersold. With most countries going through economic problems I doubt that many people would want to spend so much in tickets mainly in matches between low ranked countries. Let's wait and see how the attendance will turn out but my prediction is that it wouldn't be high in some games.

If ticket prices don't drop, matches between smaller teams will be filled with empty seats because people won't want to attend. Stadiums might be full when the big teams play, even with expensive tickets. However, if FIFA doesn't change ticket prices, this World Cup will be the one with the lowest attendance in history.

It is very bad that FIFA is doing this, when I saw the price of tickets I was shock how can you high the price of ticket like that those country that are not that rich how can dey come and support there country in the world cup, you don't expect someone to use all his or her savings to come and watch world cup while he or she can comfortably watch it on TV in their home, if they don't reduce the price I'm very sure a lot of people will not be interested to go, I would have gone but my country didn't qualify so I will just stay back and watch from my home.
Sometimes I just don't understand how FIFA thinks if they don't stop this they will reduce the value of the world cup when it comes to numbers of people coming to the stadium to watch.

[Daniel91]

it all comes down to money and profit rather than sporting reasons. 
Just look at the current ticket prices for the World Cup. Who among the ordinary fans can afford that? 
Football is increasingly becoming just business and less sport. 
The current FIFA president knew how he would gain support for his new term as FIFA president; he simply promised many countries that he would expand the number of World Cup participants, thus securing his new term. 
In the end, it all comes down to politics and business, and sport and sporting motives no longer exist in the whole story.

After watching ticket prices and many other restrictions by Donald Trump administration it looks like this event is prepared for elite class because even from the USA many are not able to go and watch lives games in Stadium many wants to give support their countries specially those are living in for years, and it's now time for showing some love and faith with their respective countries.

This time World Cup have 48 countries while it's also going to be played in 3 countries, but situation is going to be not favourable for many to not support in stadiums just have enough fun and entertainment through online stuff too many countries already have Visa issues and now many are not able to spend this amount hopefully things will be good for them in upcoming world cups.

Yes, unfortunately it seems that the World Cup is ceasing to be fun for ordinary fans and is becoming a playground for the elite, who have money and can afford very high participation costs. In a way, football and FIFA are following in the footsteps of the NBA and other professional sports leagues in America, where everything is focused on profit. Obviously, football is no longer a sport for the poor. The same trend has long prevailed in club football, unfortunately.

[Volgastallion]

Not only for elites, but also for "trash" fans i mean most of the people who goes to see the matches right now are pure posing, a lot of girls who didnt know nothing about football and only want to be in front of a camera.

Plus a lot of protocols invitations to anyone who is friend of X person who is relevant, that kills the mood on tribunes.

[yixichloro2xx]

it all comes down to money and profit rather than sporting reasons.  
Just look at the current ticket prices for the World Cup. Who among the ordinary fans can afford that?  
Football is increasingly becoming just business and less sport.  
The current FIFA president knew how he would gain support for his new term as FIFA president; he simply promised many countries that he would expand the number of World Cup participants, thus securing his new term.  
In the end, it all comes down to politics and business, and sport and sporting motives no longer exist in the whole story.

After watching ticket prices and many other restrictions by Donald Trump administration it looks like this event is prepared for elite class because even from the USA many are not able to go and watch lives games in Stadium many wants to give support their countries specially those are living in for years, and it's now time for showing some love and faith with their respective countries.

This time World Cup have 48 countries while it's also going to be played in 3 countries, but situation is going to be not favourable for many to not support in stadiums just have enough fun and entertainment through online stuff too many countries already have Visa issues and now many are not able to spend this amount hopefully things will be good for them in upcoming world cups.

I knew this world cup that is being hosted in N. america will be a mistake. judging from the draw alone was already giving people headache. now the ticket price is like gold, why will someone be paying thousands of dollars to watch a game. Imagine the expenses it will be for families that want to watch the worldcup. To secure US visa is hard, accomodation and feeding is very costly there. These guys dont care about the supporters rather it is profit that they are looking. The dream of an average person to watch this world cup live has been killed off. Fifa are doing a poor job.

[marcous]

I knew this world cup that is being hosted in N. america will be a mistake. judging from the draw alone was already giving people headache. now the ticket price is like gold, why will someone be paying thousands of dollars to watch a game. Imagine the expenses it will be for families that want to watch the worldcup. To secure US visa is hard, accomodation and feeding is very costly there. These guys dont care about the supporters rather it is profit that they are looking. The dream of an average person to watch this world cup live has been killed off. Fifa are doing a poor job.

I believe that the criticism of ticket prices is not only in this forum, but in other public discussions, even in my country which is not participating, this criticism has been discussed quite a lot on social media, I hope FIFA will evaluate and be willing to lower ticket prices, not necessarily for all matches, especially matches of strong countries but only for ordinary matches, that is enough, especially for countries that have just participated, this will provide leniency for its citizens.

[icebar]

it all comes down to money and profit rather than sporting reasons.  
Just look at the current ticket prices for the World Cup. Who among the ordinary fans can afford that?  
Football is increasingly becoming just business and less sport.  
The current FIFA president knew how he would gain support for his new term as FIFA president; he simply promised many countries that he would expand the number of World Cup participants, thus securing his new term.  
In the end, it all comes down to politics and business, and sport and sporting motives no longer exist in the whole story.

After watching ticket prices and many other restrictions by Donald Trump administration it looks like this event is prepared for elite class because even from the USA many are not able to go and watch lives games in Stadium many wants to give support their countries specially those are living in for years, and it's now time for showing some love and faith with their respective countries.

This time World Cup have 48 countries while it's also going to be played in 3 countries, but situation is going to be not favourable for many to not support in stadiums just have enough fun and entertainment through online stuff too many countries already have Visa issues and now many are not able to spend this amount hopefully things will be good for them in upcoming world cups.

I knew this world cup that is being hosted in N. america will be a mistake. judging from the draw alone was already giving people headache. now the ticket price is like gold, why will someone be paying thousands of dollars to watch a game. Imagine the expenses it will be for families that want to watch the worldcup. To secure US visa is hard, accomodation and feeding is very costly there. These guys dont care about the supporters rather it is profit that they are looking. The dream of an average person to watch this world cup live has been killed off. Fifa are doing a poor job.

Every four years, FIFA hosts the World Cup, and there is a lot of excitement among fans surrounding the event. But with next year's FIFA World Cup being held in America, there are mixed reactions among people. Some of them think that on the one hand, the expensive ticket prices and on the other hand, the visa complications have created dissatisfaction. Due to the high cost of travel and the high pressure of spectators in some matches, the ticket prices for those matches will be very high, which will certainly be very difficult for ordinary fans to bear. Food, accommodation and travel will all increase in pressure, which is going to be a much more expensive event than any other football World Cup.

[Ale88]

The prices are outrageous, there is no other way to put it. Especially because this is not only about the US but the whole world, and there are many fans from third-world countries. And I keep wondering who is going to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to go watch a game with Curaçao, Tunisia, etc.

Let's also not forget that American sports are very expensive when it comes to go to the stadium: single or seasonal tickets cost way more than European football tickets. It's always about the money but the US bring this concept beyond any limit.

I don't understand the criticism that FIFA gets on this topic. The minimum price has been set at $60 per ticket. So you guys are saying that fans can spend more than $5,000 for travel and accommodation during the world cup, but they can't spend 1% of that amount on tickets? This is not acceptable for me. During the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup, tickets were priced at $300 and above for matches hosted by the US. No one complained, because everyone understood that ICC needs those funds. Same with FIFA as well. The revenues will go towards growing the game in Africa and Asia. 

There literally is the table with the ticket prices a few posts above yours: in Qatar the cheapest ticket was $11 (Group Matches, Cat 4), now that same ticket is $100, that means ticket costs went up almost 10 times. I'm not saying they cost twice or three times, it's TEN times more. And that is the cheapest ticket in worst place. If you want to get a decent ticket then you have to spend $430 for the group phase. Want to want a semifinal? Almost $2,000 when 4 years ago it was $650.
And just out of curiosity, how many matches are you going to watch? Are you buying tickets only for yourself or for a whole family? Since for you the prices are reasonable know I'd love to know which tickets you're getting.

[Alphie12]

i am just hearing fifa might disqualify congo from the world cup qualifications at this point if you believe fifa justs wants nigeria to be in this tournament so bad you are 100% correct

[ILuckyGuyI]

Prices are really exaggerated, but let's always remember that these events are rare, even if i don't justify taking advantage of a certain country as is done in this case, by setting prices like that you prevent access to some fans who want to see their own national team.

The ticket prices are just extreme. There is no other way to say it. The World Cup is organized once in every 4 years. So yeah, this competition doesn't take place every year. However this is still too much for so many fans from the world.

You shouldn't be able to just make it double, triple or even more easily. Now I'm really wondering how the attendance in games will be. I think people would consider paying that sum for worthy games only.

The remaining ones wouldn't probably get the targeted attention.

[Creeper0]

Every four years, FIFA hosts the World Cup, and there is a lot of excitement among fans surrounding the event. But with next year's FIFA World Cup being held in America, there are mixed reactions among people. Some of them think that on the one hand, the expensive ticket prices and on the other hand, the visa complications have created dissatisfaction. Due to the high cost of travel and the high pressure of spectators in some matches, the ticket prices for those matches will be very high, which will certainly be very difficult for ordinary fans to bear. Food, accommodation and travel will all increase in pressure, which is going to be a much more expensive event than any other football World Cup.

The upcoming World Cup is not for ordinary people, but for American dignitaries and the world's richest people. There is a visa complication and the increase in ticket prices is not only making this World Cup difficult but also very expensive. About 70% of the spectators who regularly watch the World Cup games in the stadium will struggle to attend this World Cup in person. I don't know how this will affect the attendance at the stadium, but it has already sparked controversy. I don't think the ticket prices are relevant to real time and there was a touch of skill in pricing.

[KTChampions]

The upcoming World Cup is not for ordinary people, but for American dignitaries and the world's richest people. There is a visa complication and the increase in ticket prices is not only making this World Cup difficult but also very expensive. About 70% of the spectators who regularly watch the World Cup games in the stadium will struggle to attend this World Cup in person. I don't know how this will affect the attendance at the stadium, but it has already sparked controversy. I don't think the ticket prices are relevant to real time and there was a touch of skill in pricing.

At the Club World Cup, pricing was also initially frankly greedy, but this led to failure and empty stands. I think we'll see a similar picture in the group stage. How many locals will go to a Paraguay-Curosau game or something similar? And how many fans were able to travel from these countries to support their team? I don't think there's enough to fill the stadium to capacity. The playoffs probably won't be a problem - the rich and the influencers alone will be enough to fill every seat.

[TastyChillySauce00]

i am just hearing fifa might disqualify congo from the world cup qualifications at this point if you believe fifa justs wants nigeria to be in this tournament so bad you are 100% correct

Yeah, that's true. Congo was fielding ineligible player to play. So that potentially creates loophole for Nigeria to replace them in the WC 2026. However, the investigation is happening to the those 9 players who were incomplete the administration to switched the nationalities. If Congo will be proven the guilty, they have to be disqualified.
Nevertheless, to say FIFA wanting Nigeria so badly in WC is totally wrong. If Congo proven the guilty, they have to accept the consequences. This case is pretty similar like what happened to the Malaysia that gets banned by faked its players administration.

[Ale88]

i am just hearing fifa might disqualify congo from the world cup qualifications at this point if you believe fifa justs wants nigeria to be in this tournament so bad you are 100% correct

Yeah, that's true. Congo was fielding ineligible player to play. So that potentially creates loophole for Nigeria to replace them in the WC 2026. However, the investigation is happening to the those 9 players who were incomplete the administration to switched the nationalities. If Congo will be proven the guilty, they have to be disqualified.
Nevertheless, to say FIFA wanting Nigeria so badly in WC is totally wrong. If Congo proven the guilty, they have to accept the consequences. This case is pretty similar like what happened to the Malaysia that gets banned by faked its players administration.

I was reading that Suriname too could be disqualified because of political interferences with the local football association, and in that case they simply wouldn't play the intercontinental playoff, no other team would be called instead of them. If Congo are disqualified for any reason then it would be the same, calling up Nigeria would be a huge red flag.

[SquallLeonhart]

USA will definitely find a way to make this back, I doubt that it will be a cup with very few visitors because of the prices. I understand that it may look very expensive, but for a world cup at USA that is actually normal and they are going to be able to afford it without a trouble.

The best we can do at the time would be make the prices fit for the Americans and because Americans can afford to pay a lot more and willing for it, this will cause the prices to stay high because it is getting sold. We are not going to see Qatar type of games where majority of the games are half empty, we are going to have Americans fill it, and worst case, last minute tickets will cost very tiny and will be grabbed by anyone around there.

[pewboy]

Yes, unfortunately it seems that the World Cup is ceasing to be fun for ordinary fans and is becoming a playground for the elite, who have money and can afford very high participation costs. In a way, football and FIFA are following in the footsteps of the NBA and other professional sports leagues in America, where everything is focused on profit. Obviously, football is no longer a sport for the poor. The same trend has long prevailed in club football, unfortunately.

Yes, i also think that there are some people on Trump's side who are certainly privileged compared to the poorer people, but one thing must be understood, football belongs to the people, and people want to see their national team in peace, right now having the possibility of seeing the match in this climate is impossible and above all with this price.