The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America has begun, but the world’s most prestigious football tournament is already making headlines for reasons far beyond the pitch. As excitement builds for the spectacle set to unfold across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, controversy is swirling around skyrocketing ticket and accommodation prices. Fans and supporters’ groups are up in arms, labeling FIFA’s pricing strategy a betrayal of the tournament’s core spirit. Meanwhile, national teams like France and Korea are grappling with unique challenges—ranging from squad dynamics and tactical experiments to the daunting logistics of playing in high-altitude venues. And in cricket, Afghanistan’s squad is gearing up for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, drawing confidence from their familiarity with subcontinental conditions.
On December 13, 2025, Britain’s Sky Sports delivered a bombshell: the cheapest ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in North America will set fans back more than £3,000 (about 5.92 million won). For those hoping to follow their favorite team from the opening whistle to the final, the cost climbs to over £6,000 (around 11.85 million won) per person. That’s a jaw-dropping 500% increase over the prices seen at the Qatar World Cup just three years ago. The Football Supporters Association (FSA) has called this hike “a scandal” and “a ridiculous insult” to ordinary fans, urging the English Football Association to challenge FIFA’s approach.
So what’s driving these astronomical prices? FIFA has introduced a “dynamic pricing” model, a first for the World Cup and a move that echoes ticketing strategies seen in American sports. Under this system, prices fluctuate based on demand, with group-stage matches divided into four tiers and seats within each tier split into three categories. For example, a tier 1 group-stage ticket starts at $265 (about 390,000 won), but premium seats can soar past $700 (over 1 million won). It’s the matches involving host nations—like the United States, Mexico, and Canada—that are commanding the steepest prices. The U.S.-Paraguay group-stage clash, for instance, features category 1 tickets priced at $2,735 (about 4.03 million won).
FIFA has remained largely silent amid the uproar, only noting that five million ticket requests were logged within 24 hours of sales opening—a testament, they say, to the tournament’s “sudden global demand.” But angry fans aren’t buying it. The European Supporters’ Congress (FSE) blasted FIFA’s “vague criteria” for price-setting, calling it “a monumental betrayal of the World Cup’s traditions.” In a strongly worded statement, the FSE declared, “We are astonished by the excessive ticket prices FIFA has imposed on the most dedicated supporters. This is a monumental betrayal of the World Cup’s traditions and ignores fans’ contributions. We call on FIFA to immediately halt ticket sales and review price and category allocations until a solution is found.”
The outcry isn’t limited to European fans. Korean supporters, many eager to witness Son Heung-min’s last World Cup, are also feeling the pinch. According to FIFA, fans from over 200 countries and territories have already applied for tickets, and demand for certain fixtures is through the roof. The Colombia-Portugal match in Miami on June 27, 2026, currently tops the list as the most requested game, followed by Brazil-Morocco (New York/New Jersey, June 13), Mexico-Korea (Guadalajara, June 18), Ecuador-Germany (New York/New Jersey, June 25), and Scotland-Brazil (Miami, June 24). Notably, Korea’s group-stage showdown with Mexico is the third most requested match across the entire tournament, suggesting ticket prices could rise even further as demand intensifies.
But even if fans are willing to pay, there’s no guarantee they’ll secure a seat. Tickets are allocated by lottery, with draws running through January 13, 2026, and results set to be announced in February. Each applicant can request up to four tickets per match and up to 40 tickets for the whole tournament. The uncertainty is adding to the frustration, especially for those who have already booked travel or made arrangements to support their teams.
Speaking of travel, the sticker shock doesn’t end at the stadium gates. Accommodation prices in host cities have soared, compounding the headache for traveling fans. The Athletic reported that hotel rates in Mexico City, which will host the opening match, have skyrocketed by an average of 961%. Monterrey and Guadalajara, two other key Mexican venues, have seen increases of 466% and 405%, respectively. Out of 46 hotels listed on the Marriott Bonvoy app in Mexico City, only three remained available as of the latest reports—a clear sign of overwhelming demand and limited supply.
For the Korean team, the challenges are mounting. All three of their group-stage matches will be played in Mexico, with Guadalajara—a city perched 1,550 meters above sea level—presenting a particular hurdle. The combination of high altitude, fierce Mexican home support, and the logistical nightmare of soaring accommodation costs means coach Hong Myung-bo’s squad will have to dig deep, both on and off the field. “In Guadalajara, Korea will face Denmark, North Macedonia, the Czech Republic or Ireland—the playoff winner among them,” reported The Athletic. It’s a tough draw, made tougher by circumstances outside the players’ control.
Meanwhile, the French national team is entering the tournament with its own set of storylines. Didier Deschamps, who famously lifted the World Cup as both a player (1998) and a manager (2018), is preparing for his final hurrah as France’s head coach. The build-up hasn’t been without drama. While Kylian Mbappé remains the undisputed star, reports suggest some teammates are frustrated by his preferential treatment. Mbappé’s brace in France’s 4-0 victory over Ukraine secured their World Cup qualification, but Deschamps allowed the captain to skip the final qualifier in Azerbaijan—a decision criticized by former PSG star Jerome Rothen as potentially divisive. “Making decisions like this can cause problems in the locker room, and I remain convinced that there are players who are fed up with this preferential treatment,” Rothen told Get Football News.
Deschamps, however, seized the opportunity to experiment, giving starts to Jean-Philippe Mateta and Hugo Ekitiké in Baku. Mateta responded with a well-taken header, while Ekitiké impressed with his dynamism and energy. “Mateta was making only his second ever start and he scored a lovely header. So that’s great for us and for him,” Deschamps said. “Ekitiké is gaining confidence too. He’s a young player with lots of dynamism and was able to express himself with his stamina to get around the pitch as well as his ability to penetrate with his speed. So, they’re another two pieces to consider on the offensive side of the ball going forward.”
Despite France’s unbeaten qualification campaign, Deschamps is still searching for the right attacking formula—a familiar challenge as he eyes a perfect send-off in North America. His legacy, already cemented, is on the line one last time.
In cricket, Afghanistan’s T20 squad is brimming with optimism ahead of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Batting all-rounder Gulbadin Naib told India Today, “With the T20 World Cup happening in India, it feels like home—our second home. We’ve played a lot of cricket there: in Dehradun, in Lucknow, and of course, many of our players have plenty of IPL experience.” Afghanistan, drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, New Zealand, UAE, and Canada, is counting on its familiarity with Indian conditions and recent international success to propel them deep into the tournament. “If we can push ourselves just 10% more than what we did in the last World Cup, it could make a huge difference,” Gulbadin added.
As the world’s biggest sporting events approach, the anticipation is palpable—but so are the challenges. For fans, players, and organizers alike, the next few months will be a test of passion, resilience, and, for many, their wallets. The action on the field may be unpredictable, but one thing’s for sure: the drama has already begun.
