Thursday 16/April/2026 – 06:55 PM
Criticism is mounting in the European media as the start of the tournament approaches World Cup 2026In light of the growing controversy over the high costs of the upcoming edition, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, amid fears that it will turn into one of the most expensive and fan-excluding tournaments in the history of football.
The 2026 World Cup may be the most expensive, and there are fears of fans’ reluctance
According to what was published by The Guardian newspaper, current indicators indicate that the 2026 World Cup may be “the most expensive in the modern era,” not only because of ticket prices, but also as a result of the significant increase in travel and accommodation costs within the United States, which hosts the bulk of the matches.
The newspaper explained that the cost of transportation represents a real crisis, as the round-trip trip from New York to the final match stadium may reach about $100, in the absence of reduced means of transportation or appropriate logistical solutions, which reflects the magnitude of the challenges associated with organizing a tournament that extends over vast geographical distances.
Internal transportation prices have also become one of the most controversial points, along with tickets, as the cost of moving from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough rose from $20 to $80, reflecting a significant inflation in expenses associated with attending matches.
These reports came after statements by New Jersey Governor Mickey Sherrill, who confirmed her efforts to reduce the financial burdens on citizens, stressing the need for taxpayers not to bear additional costs due to the tournament. She indicated that since assuming office, she began working on this file to ensure a balance between regulation and alleviating economic pressure.
For its part, the Transport Authority revealed that the cost of operating its services during the eight matches that will be held at MetLife Stadium, including the final match, is estimated at approximately $48 million, stressing that the prices of tickets for transportation on match days have not yet been determined, with a pledge not to burden regular users with these costs.
In a related context, Cheryl announced the cancellation of a planned public festival at a cost of $5 million, to be replaced by smaller events distributed within the state, in an attempt to reduce expenses.
It is expected that tens of thousands of fans will depend on the train network to reach MetLife Stadium, especially with the reduction in parking spaces, while reports indicated that parts of the Penn Station station will be allocated only to ticket holders hours before the matches, which further complicates the fans’ experience.
Other reports focused on the fans’ experience, explaining that following a team from the group stage until the final may cost thousands of dollars, as a result of the high prices of tickets, accommodation, and transportation, which may deprive a wide segment of fans from attending the tournament.
The ticket sales system has also been widely criticized, due to its reliance on premium packages and loyalty programmes, which give preference to specific categories and reduce the chances of ordinary audiences to obtain tickets at reasonable prices.
In Europe, many fans expressed their dissatisfaction with what they described as the World Cup turning into an “elite event,” considering that the high costs threaten to keep traditional fans away from the stands.
Observers believe that these policies reflect FIFA’s marketing orientation, which relies on dynamic pricing and luxury tickets, which leads to inflated prices with increased demand and enhances the commercial character of the tournament.
On the other hand, the International Federation defends this approach, stressing that the demand is unprecedented and that the revenues are used to develop football globally. However, these justifications did not convince many, especially with the escalation of criticism in the European media.
Ultimately, the media believes that the next edition may reflect a growing gap between football and its fans, at a time when commercial interests take precedence at the expense of the popular dimension of the game.
