The World Cup has always belonged to its fans. But in North America, where FIFA’s flagship event has arrived amid record revenues and unprecedented commercial interest, many supporters are finding that participating in the spectacle comes at a price that is increasingly difficult to justify.
Karan, originally from Northern India, has been a regular at MetLife Stadium for years, watching the New York Giants and Jets in the NFL. But attending the World Cup has proven beyond his reach.
“My wife and I have been constantly scanning the Internet for the past three months,” he says. «But no luck so far. Most games in New York cost more than $1,200.»
Instead, he is now considering traveling to Philadelphia, where tickets for some games remain relatively more affordable.
For Francisco, a Brazilian from Bahia who has lived in New Jersey for 30 years, the frustration is similar. Although he is excited about the New York Knicks’ long-awaited NBA title, he couldn’t bring himself to spend the amount of money needed to watch Brazil’s opening game against Morocco.
“We can’t afford the tickets,” he says. “And it’s even more expensive to get there because ride-sharing services are not allowed near the stadium.”
The closest he came to World Cup action was paying $70 to attend Morocco’s last friendly before the World Cup against Norway at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
«I love football and follow our players wherever they play. Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t had enough time with the team yet, but this team has potential. Brazil will get through this group,» Francisco is optimistic.
Despite widespread criticism, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said prices reflect demand. | Photo credit: AP
Despite widespread criticism, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said prices reflect demand. | Photo credit: AP
Their stories have become increasingly common during the opening days of the tournament. Concerns about ticket prices have been heightened by reports of empty seats at some matches and criticism from politicians and supporters alike.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is among the most outspoken critics, arguing that sports should not become a “luxury item.” His government urged FIFA to allocate a limited number of discounted tickets to locals. “A World Cup is coming to our backyard, and we want to make sure working-class New Yorkers have the opportunity to be a part of it,” Madani said.
US President Donald Trump has also joined the conversation, saying: “I would certainly love to be there, but I wouldn’t pay for it either, to be honest.”
However, for FIFA president Gianni Infantino, prices reflect demand. Defending the cost of tickets, he pointed to «unprecedented» interest and said: «Our entry price, which is $60, is the lowest entry price across all US sports and the play-off stages. Our average price, which is under $500, is once again the lowest on average across US sports.»
The ticket itself is only part of the cost. Transportation has emerged as another flashpoint. Fans traveling from New York to MetLife Stadium were hit with a special round-trip fare that initially sparked outrage online. New Jersey Transit defended the charge, saying the fare structure was designed to support the additional services needed for the World Cup. He later noted that a revised $98 round-trip ticket was made possible by additional advertising revenue rather than taxpayer subsidies.
The debate is not limited to the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she missed her country’s opening match because «tickets are very expensive.»
Last month, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and New York Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices, including its use of variable pricing.
As football’s biggest event gets richer, the people who give it meaning become more and more expensive.
For now, they continue to search ticket websites, compare train fares and make compromises. The dream of attending a World Cup remains alive. Whether it remains affordable is another matter.
Published on June 15, 2026
