Report: FIFA set to rob soccer fans blind with insane World Cup ticket prices

With just over a year to go before the 2026 FIFA World Cup descends upon the sprawling stadiums of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the early signs are clear: if you want in, start hoarding pennies now—maybe even consider dumpster diving. The beautiful game is about to collide head-on with the brutal economics of modern spectacle.

This week, the first salvo of tickets hit the market in the form of hospitality packages—gilded, exclusive, and unapologetically expensive. These are not for the everyman. They’re for corporate elites and deep-pocketed superfans willing to drop anywhere from $3,500 to north of $70,000 for the privilege of watching football behind a pane of tinted glass, flute of champagne in hand.

For everyone else—those dreaming of cheap seats and golden memories—the reality isn’t much softer. According to reporting by Adam Crafton of The Athletic, early figures suggest that even group stage tickets will average around $305. That’s not a seat—it’s a statement. The World Cup, long marketed as the people’s tournament, may soon be priced just out of their reach.