As the 2026 World Cup approaches, fans across the 16 host cities in Canada, Mexico, and the United States are sharing mixed feelings. While many look forward to the tournament, concerns over ticket prices, Fifa's priorities, and lack of long-term planning dominate the conversation.
In Atlanta, one fan described widespread apathy, with ticket prices seen as prohibitive. “Most people are disenchanted by ticket prices; those who don’t care are not even talking about it,” they said. Another fan from the US noted that attending a group stage match with his family would cost $2,000, calling it “an event for the rich now.”
Some fans expressed hope that the expanded format might backfire, leading to half-empty stadiums in the early rounds. “I hope Fifa loses its shirt on it and people do not travel to the US or pay exorbitant ticket prices,” one correspondent wrote. Others, however, anticipate that once the knockout stages begin, global interest will surge.
In Boston, a fan who attended the 1994 World Cup recalled sky-high excitement but now feels more jaded. “The tickets are outrageously overpriced and the mechanisms for buying them were too byzantine,” they said. Traffic concerns around Foxborough stadium remain unresolved, with limited parking and train capacity potentially causing chaos.
Despite the cynicism, many fans expect their enthusiasm to return once the tournament starts. “I am hoping for good football, a good atmosphere, a few surprises, and some new stars,” one fan said, adding a plea to avoid political co-opting of the games. The series will continue to track fan experiences throughout the event.
