Fifa's pricing strategy for its upcoming 2026 World Cup has turned ticket-buying into an exclusive club reserved primarily for those with deep pockets, as the initial wave of sales revealed eye-watering price tags that will make it nearly impossible for anyone but a select few to attend.
For months, enthusiasts like myself had been patiently waiting for general ticket sales to kick off in October. With anticipation building, tidbits were shared, and links were exchanged among groups, many of whom had also entered the Visa pre-sale lottery alongside four million others – an effort that offered two lucky winners a chance to snag tickets before the market opened up to the general public.
When I finally managed to secure a time slot on October 1st, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment as I found out that Category 4 tickets for the group stage had vanished entirely. The cheapest available seats were now priced at $60, nearly eight times higher than Fifa's initial estimate. To make matters worse, category 3 tickets – those within a three-hour drive from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – had also sold out.
The experience of trying to buy tickets was marred by technical glitches and frustrating delays. I faced a two-hour countdown queue that reset every 10 minutes before finally getting access to the ticketing system. However, when I tried to reorder my original purchase for category 3 tickets, I was met with an error message, effectively blocking me from making another attempt.
Desperate to get tickets at any cost, I offered some friends in my men's league group chat a chance to take over the expensive seats. One of them eventually took me up on the offer and was able to purchase four category 2 tickets for a total of $1,860 – significantly cheaper than the original price. However, as he attempted to transfer the tickets to his account, we encountered another round of technical issues.
Our experience highlights serious questions surrounding affordability at this World Cup. A study has found that nearly 50% of the 100 million-strong soccer fanbase in North America cannot afford the prices being charged for tickets. The reality is that this event is becoming increasingly inaccessible to fans who can't afford it, leading many to wonder if Fifa's ticket pricing strategy will allow for an atmosphere at all during the games.
Only time will tell if those with the financial means and logistical setup can enjoy the spectacle of a World Cup for all its color and noise. In the meantime, it remains uncertain whether this tournament will truly be "the World Cup for the 1%."
For months, enthusiasts like myself had been patiently waiting for general ticket sales to kick off in October. With anticipation building, tidbits were shared, and links were exchanged among groups, many of whom had also entered the Visa pre-sale lottery alongside four million others – an effort that offered two lucky winners a chance to snag tickets before the market opened up to the general public.
When I finally managed to secure a time slot on October 1st, my excitement quickly turned to disappointment as I found out that Category 4 tickets for the group stage had vanished entirely. The cheapest available seats were now priced at $60, nearly eight times higher than Fifa's initial estimate. To make matters worse, category 3 tickets – those within a three-hour drive from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey – had also sold out.
The experience of trying to buy tickets was marred by technical glitches and frustrating delays. I faced a two-hour countdown queue that reset every 10 minutes before finally getting access to the ticketing system. However, when I tried to reorder my original purchase for category 3 tickets, I was met with an error message, effectively blocking me from making another attempt.
Desperate to get tickets at any cost, I offered some friends in my men's league group chat a chance to take over the expensive seats. One of them eventually took me up on the offer and was able to purchase four category 2 tickets for a total of $1,860 – significantly cheaper than the original price. However, as he attempted to transfer the tickets to his account, we encountered another round of technical issues.
Our experience highlights serious questions surrounding affordability at this World Cup. A study has found that nearly 50% of the 100 million-strong soccer fanbase in North America cannot afford the prices being charged for tickets. The reality is that this event is becoming increasingly inaccessible to fans who can't afford it, leading many to wonder if Fifa's ticket pricing strategy will allow for an atmosphere at all during the games.
Only time will tell if those with the financial means and logistical setup can enjoy the spectacle of a World Cup for all its color and noise. In the meantime, it remains uncertain whether this tournament will truly be "the World Cup for the 1%."
! i mean i know they wanna make money but $60+ for a ticket? that's just crazy talk 
. and to make matters worse, they're making it super hard for people to buy them too - technical glitches and delays everywhere 
. I've got friends who are huge soccer fans and they can't even afford the tickets 
. it's like fifa is trying to keep this world cup exclusive to the rich and famous 
. it's really disappointing and i hope something changes before the tournament starts 
.
FIFA needs to rethink their pricing strategy ASAP... who's going to get the chance to experience the world cup if you can't even afford a ticket? 
It's not just about the money, it's about the fans who are gonna be left out of the excitement 
idk about you but im kinda disappointed too 
i was really looking forward to buying some tickets for my fave team but now idk if ill even bother trying again