FIFA Still Has 10,000 U.S. Opener Tickets Unsold as 2026 World Cup Prices More Than Doubled
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
FIFA Still Has 10,000 U.S. Opener Tickets Unsold as 2026 World Cup Prices More Than Doubled
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 8
Summary
Around 10,000 tickets for the U.S.-Paraguay opener were still listed on resale sites Sunday night, undercutting FIFA’s earlier suggestion that every 2026 World Cup match was sold out.
FIFA had sold about 5 million of an expected 6.7 million tickets by April, and some seats later vanished from its portal before reappearing on resale platforms at significantly lower prices.
The weak late demand followed months of opaque sales, technical glitches and record pricing, with FIFA raising prices for at least one category in 95 of 104 matches by an average 35%.
A Category 1 final ticket climbed to $10,990 from $6,730, while fans also complained about crypto-based 'Right To Buy' tokens, shifting seat maps and prime seats steered into hospitality inventory.
The backlash has widened beyond fan anger into legal scrutiny, with attorneys general in California, New York and New Jersey pressing FIFA over potentially misleading ticket practices.
FIFA promised a sold-out World Cup, yet seats remain. Did its high-priced ticket strategy ultimately backfire?
With attorneys general investigating, will FIFA face legal consequences for its controversial 'bait-and-switch' ticketing?
After exploiting fans with crypto tokens and record prices, can FIFA ever rebuild trust with its global community?
2026 World Cup Ticket Controversy: Soaring Prices, Legal Investigations, and the Risk to Fan Engagement
Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is facing major challenges as high ticket prices, driven by FIFA's new dynamic pricing strategy, have sparked controversy and public backlash. Many fans, including public figures, see the cost of attendance as too high, leading to unsold tickets even for popular matches. This pricing approach, which allows prices to rise based on demand, has resulted in significant increases across most games. The situation has drawn legal scrutiny from state attorneys general, raising questions about fairness and consumer protection. These issues threaten both the tournament's economic impact and its accessibility for fans worldwide.