The dream of attending the 2026 men's World Cup is becoming a prohibitively expensive one for ordinary fans, with a new analysis revealing staggering price hikes. The most dramatic increase is for the final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, where tickets are currently set to be up to nine times more expensive than for the 2022 final in Qatar.
Barrier to Entry: The Disappearing Cheap Seat
A comprehensive study by the Guardian, examining official FIFA pricing data back to 1994, shows how the financial barrier for fans has been raised dramatically. Historically, Category 4 tickets represented the most affordable entry point, often reserved for residents of the host nation. For the 2026 tournament across the US, Mexico, and Canada, this concept has been turned on its head.
Not only are the cheapest seats for most rounds at least three times pricier than in 2022, but the entire inventory of Category 4 tickets sold out before sales even opened to the general public. The recent release of a limited number of tickets capped at $60 for every match—a move by FIFA—still represents a five-fold increase over 2022's cheapest group-stage tickets.
FIFA's new dynamic pricing model is cited as the primary driver of these increases. This system allows prices to fluctuate based on demand, which surged after the tournament draw in December 2025. Of the 104 matches, 91 saw their prices increase post-draw.
Star Power and Host Nation Premiums
The analysis reveals where the most extreme price rises are concentrated: in marquee cities, for high-stakes matches, and for games involving a host nation. The power of global football icons is also starkly apparent.
Matches featuring Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal saw the steepest price increases after the draw, followed by games with Lionel Messi's reigning champion Argentina. Euro 2024 winner Spain and popular South American sides Colombia and Uruguay completed the top five. Notably, matches involving Iran were the only ones to see a double-digit percentage decrease in price.
A Far Cry from Original Promises
The current pricing structure stands in sharp contrast to the vision presented during the 2018 bid process. The United 2026 bid book, submitted during Donald Trump's first term, proposed starting group-game prices for Category 4 at just $21—a figure nearly in line with 2018's prices when adjusted for inflation.
For travelling fans, particularly those from countries with visa restrictions, the dynamic pricing model presents a serious dilemma. While prices could potentially drop shortly before games, as seen at the 2025 Club World Cup, waiting until the last minute is neither desirable nor feasible for many international supporters who must secure travel documents well in advance.
As the first post-draw ticket sales phase approaches in 2026, the dream of attending football's greatest spectacle is being reshaped into a luxury experience, placing it increasingly out of reach for the average supporter.
