‘We feel excluded’: expensive tickets and Trump’s shadow dampen World Cup excitement in Mexico

December 21, 2025

TL;DR

Mexican fans express feelings of exclusion and anticlimax regarding ticket availability and prices for the 2026 World Cup.
The cost of tickets for matches in Mexico is prohibitively high for the average citizen, contrasting with the affordability of the 1986 World Cup.
The Fifa ticket ballot system has been confusing and largely unsuccessful for many fans, leading to speculation about intentional obfuscation.
The 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, with Mexico hosting only 13 of the 104 matches.
Fans recall the 1986 World Cup as a more accessible and emotionally resonant event, describing the current situation as a 'businessman's game'.
Despite attempts, fans like Jonathan Zamora and Rodrigo Márquez Tizano have been unable to secure tickets through official channels.
The high prices are particularly stark in a country where average professional salaries are significantly lower than ticket costs.
Some fans are considering the resale market, while others resign themselves to experiencing the World Cup atmosphere outside the stadium.

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