2026 World Cup costs fuel concerns over affordability

Fans planning to attend multiple matches are facing expenses that extend well beyond ticket prices. Analyses published ahead of the tournament found that supporters following teams through the later stages could spend tens of thousands of dollars on flights, hotels, local transportation and match admissions. Travel costs vary significantly depending on where teams are assigned to play, with countries competing across multiple regions requiring fans to make long domestic trips between host cities. Hotel rates in several host markets have also risen as demand increases, adding to the overall cost of attendance.

Ticket pricing has become one of the most debated issues surrounding the tournament. FIFA introduced demand-based pricing for many matches, allowing prices to fluctuate according to demand. Some group-stage matches have sold for hundreds or thousands of dollars, while tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey have appeared on official resale platforms at several times their original value. Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey have launched investigations into FIFA's ticketing practices following complaints about pricing and seat allocations. FIFA has defended its approach by citing strong demand and the scale of the event.