There is a World Cup that feels strange...

The 1994 World Cup, held in the United States, was initially met with concerns that it would struggle to attract fans, as soccer is not the most popular sport in the country. However, the 1994 World Cup far exceeded initial expectations, breaking all records by attracting over 3.5 million fans to the stadiums. At the 2026 World Cup, 78 out of 104 matches will be held in the United States, but the excitement has yet to truly begin.

Kyle, a fan living in Atlanta, shared with The Guardian: “I’m not as excited as I was in 1994. Now, the World Cup is like an event for the rich. I would have to spend $2,000 to go watch a group stage match with my wife and two children. No match is worth that much, and the knockout rounds will be much more expensive.”

Giant balls were placed throughout Guadalajara, Mexico, to welcome the 2026 World Cup. Photo: EPA

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David Achenbach (Boston, USA), who had a memorable experience attending all the 1994 World Cup matches held at Foxborough, chose not to attend any of the 2026 World Cup matches. His reason was the exorbitant ticket prices and complicated ticket purchasing procedures. Meanwhile, Ian Sherman (Houston, USA) was thrilled to have seven World Cup matches held in a stadium right on his doorstep. However, his excitement was dampened by the ticket prices and complicated procedures. "It's ridiculous that seats far from the pitch for the Saudi Arabia vs. Cape Verde match cost over $200 each," Sherman lamented.

The issue of exorbitant ticket prices isn't just a complaint from American fans. In Guadalajara, Mexico, many people had been eagerly anticipating the 2026 World Cup as a rare event, but were disappointed by the unaffordable ticket prices. Heather Chambers, a fan from Guadalajara, expressed: “I was really looking forward to the World Cup being held near my home and hoped to be able to go see a match. But the tickets are too expensive. Most people here earn between 10,000 and 30,000 pesos a month (approximately 15 million to 45 million VND). The World Cup is increasingly becoming a money-making machine, neglecting genuine fans.”

According to Jose Galindo, a fan from Monterrey, Mexico, most ordinary people cannot afford tickets or new jerseys. The tournament seems out of reach for the general public. The World Football Federation has turned the 2026 World Cup into a product for the select few. “I will try to attend one of the matches in my hometown of Monterrey, because the tickets are a little cheaper there than in Mexico City. People aren’t very enthusiastic, and the World Cup fever isn’t what I hoped for,” Jose Galindo emphasized.

According to surveys, World Cup 2026 tickets are 3 to 10 times more expensive than those for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. When football is run as a money-making machine, the World Cup risks losing its identity and becoming increasingly alien to true football fans.