sports
January 19, 2026
Tickets, travel and Trump: How the 2026 World Cup is shaping up six months from the final
The champion will be decided on 19 July in New Jersey. Here’s a rundown of the issues that will shape the tournament as it comes to North America
TL;DR
- Over 500 million ticket requests have been made, indicating high demand.
- FIFA's dynamic pricing model has led to significantly increased ticket costs, especially for cheaper seats.
- Resale tickets are subject to a 15% processing fee, with some local laws restricting resale prices.
- Travel to host countries involves potential visa issues, especially for US entry, with new policies and travel bans affecting fans from certain nations.
- Flight and hotel prices have surged, and travel between host cities, particularly in the US, can be extensive and costly.
- The expanded 48-team format means two-thirds of teams will advance from the group stage, potentially lowering early-round pressure.
- President Trump's travel bans and policies are highlighted as a potential factor impacting the fan experience and the tournament.
- A portion of tickets for each game will remain at a $60 price floor, representing 1.6% of sellable tickets.
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