FIFA had hiked ticket prices for most of the 2026 World Cup games by an average of 35%
The highly anticipated 2026 World Cup begins tomorrow, bringing 104 matches across 39 days to the host nations, the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, FIFA faces immense backlash from the soccer world over ticket prices.
Fans hoping to attend the tournament are contending with soaring ticket prices, high travel costs, and mounting uncertainty about US travel and visa policies.
Dozens of supporters have been refused visas, including 40 members of several Moroccan football fan associations, even though they had already purchased tickets.
For many, the costs outstrip local wages. In Haiti, where the average monthly salary is $147, the cheapest ticket for their first World Cup match in 52 years costs $180, while attending all three group games costs $625.
Similarly, fans from Ghana, where the average monthly wage is $254, are canceling plans.
The football association had hiked ticket prices for most games by an average of 35%, with premium seats for the finals costing roughly $33,000.
Unsold tickets
A Financial Times analysis found that as of Monday, nearly 180,000 World Cup tickets were listed on FIFA’s official resale portal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has blamed the high ticket prices on North American demand.
However, median prices on FIFA’s platform have declined by 20% over the past month, suggesting that many ticket holders may be forced to sell at a loss.
Will FIFA make money?
The short answer is, yes. FIFA is projected to generate $11 billion in overall revenue, with $3 billion coming from ticket sales alone. The 2022 World Cup generated $7.5 billion in revenue, with ticket sales contributing approximately $930 million.