The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the biggest edition in the tournament’s history, yet the usual global excitement appears noticeably subdued. Instead of growing anticipation, much of the conversation has been dominated by concerns over cost, travel, and access.
One of the biggest talking points is ticket pricing. Reports from secondary markets suggest group-stage tickets averaging around USD550 (RM2,585), with some exceeding USD2,000 (RM9,390). Critics argue that such pricing risks limiting attendance to wealthier fans, reducing the tournament’s traditional inclusivity.
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino has suggested that higher prices reflect strong demand in the United States, analysts say the figures sit well above what is typically expected for a global football event. Although FIFA has highlighted record sales due to the expanded 104-match format, concerns remain that volume rather than affordability is driving those numbers.
Travel is another major challenge for supporters. With matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, fans following their teams face long distances between venues and frequent domestic flights. For example, an England supporter could potentially spend around £6,000 (RM36,000) to attend all three group-stage matches across different U.S. cities.
Source: Soccer Bible
Unlike previous tournaments in more compact host nations, such as Qatar or Russia, the 2026 edition offers limited options for efficient inter-city rail travel. In many cases, flying or long road journeys will be the only practical choices, significantly increasing overall costs for travelling fans.
Even local transportation within host cities adds to the burden. Some stadiums in the United States are located far from city centres and rely heavily on car access or paid shuttle services. Routes such as New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium have seen notably high transport costs, with fares reportedly reaching close to USD98 (RM460) for certain services, while trips from Boston to Foxborough can cost around USD80 (RM375).
Beyond logistics, administrative and political factors are also contributing to uncertainty. International visitors will need to navigate entry requirements and travel authorisations, while broader immigration policies and security arrangements have raised concerns about the overall fan experience.
Some legal restrictions also continue to affect eligibility for supporters from certain nations, adding further complexity to what is meant to be a globally inclusive event.
Taken together, these issues have shifted much of the early World Cup narrative away from football itself. Instead of focusing on players and on-pitch storylines, attention has been drawn toward affordability, accessibility, and travel difficulties.
As a result, despite the scale and ambition of the 2026 World Cup, the build-up has yet to generate the widespread excitement typically associated with football’s biggest stage.
