NEW YORK — High ticket prices for the early matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have sparked concerns among fans and observers as the tournament opened across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with some games showing available seats and resale values fluctuating, officials and reports said.
The tournament, which began on June 11, features dynamic pricing for the first time, with face-value tickets for group-stage matches ranging from about $60 for the cheapest seats to thousands of dollars for premium categories, according to FIFA and secondary market data.
Fans and media reports highlighted sticker shock for early games, including the U.S. men's national team's opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12 and other group-stage fixtures. Some tickets for less high-profile matches appeared on resale platforms below original face value, while premium seats for major encounters remained elevated.
FIFA has defended the pricing model, stating it reflects market demand in North America. FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously noted that prices align with expectations for major sporting events in the region and pointed to strong overall interest, with hundreds of millions of ticket requests received.
Critics, including fan groups and some local officials, raised issues about accessibility for average supporters. Investigations by attorneys general in New York and New Jersey into ticketing practices, including allegations of misleading sales and price fluctuations, were ongoing as of early June.
Resale platforms showed variability, with some group-stage tickets for matches involving smaller national teams listed at reduced prices in the days surrounding the opening fixtures. However, demand for high-profile games kept many premium options expensive.
"We are monitoring the situation closely and working to ensure fair access where possible," a FIFA spokesperson said in a statement regarding early sales and availability.
The concerns come amid broader discussions about the tournament's economic impact on host cities. Some reports indicated softer-than-expected international travel demand linked in part to overall costs, though domestic attendance and last-minute sales were factors still being assessed.
FIFA has made additional tickets available through last-minute sales and its official resale marketplace. Thousands of seats remained listed across platforms for various early matches as the first round of games progressed.
As of Friday, FIFA continued to sell and resell tickets for ongoing group-stage fixtures. Further updates on sales, attendance figures and any adjustments to availability are expected throughout the tournament.
