FIFA’s vision to “Make Football truly global, diverse, and inclusive, for the benefit of all” seems at odds with reality as concerns surface regarding exorbitant ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled in USA/ Canada/ Mexico. Fans have already begun purchasing tickets despite its expanded format to 48 teams not having seen all qualifiers as yet.
Reports have highlighted shocking ticket prices, with estimates reaching $38,000 for the final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. FIFA can easily be blamed, yet secondary market reselling further escalated the costs. Journalist Adam Crafton harshly criticised FIFA’s approach: it had the chance to stand out among sports organizations by making soccer more accessible; yet instead sought profit instead with subterfuge such as local market conditions as an excuse.
The ticket sale process itself has been controversial, with an initial buying phase leading to 4.5 million applications for tickets, creating a scarce environment that naturally led to inflated prices in the secondary market. This process has not only limited access for genuine fans but also spiked prices across official and secondary sales channels alike.
Even the official market prices have caused dismay among fans globally, with opening game tickets in host nations priced steeply. For instance, prices ranged from $355 to $1,745 for Canada’s opener in Toronto, indicating a broader issue beyond just resale practices.
In discussions on the matter, journalist Tom Bogert and others expressed frustration over the exclusion of true soccer fans due to prohibitively high costs, emphasizing that the sport should be for everyone, not just those willing to pay exorbitant fees or corporate attendees.
Concerns Over Future World Cup Atmosphere
Jen Beattie and other commentators have raised concerns that high ticket prices might put off genuine fans while creating an uncomfortable environment at 2026 World Cup matches. A similar problem occurred at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup where price increases led to less attendance, eventually forcing price reductions for certain matches; similar concerns could significantly erode fan experience at future tournaments such as 2026.
FIFA faces a formidable challenge when it comes to making soccer accessible and accessible worldwide for fans worldwide, balancing profitability with inclusivity to ensure “beautiful game” remains within reach for supporters from different backgrounds and nations. As 2026 World Cup draws nearer, stakeholders have begun calling for measures designed to address such concerns in order to preserve unifying spirit of sport.