Expensive Tickets and Geopolitical Tensions Cloud Excitement for 2026 World Cup in Mexico
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be hosted across three countries—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—with a total of 104 matches. Mexico will host 13 games, including the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026. However, excitement in Mexico is dampened by concerns over the high cost and limited accessibility of tickets.
Tickets for the opening match are reported to be expensive and difficult to obtain. Regular ticket prices range between $1,290 and $1,825, while hospitality packages can reach around $10,000. Despite FIFA receiving approximately 5 million applications for the ticket ballot and selling about 2 million tickets in the first two sale phases, several million tickets remain available. Still, many fans in Mexico, where the average monthly salary for a professional is about 7,500 pesos (approximately $416), find these prices unaffordable.
This results in a feeling of exclusion among fans, who report confusion, long queues, and few successful ticket acquisitions despite applying. Some lower-priced tickets, costing around $60, will be released through national associations rather than FIFA’s official platform. It is anticipated that resale markets will become the main avenue for buyers seeking tickets at affordable prices.
The ticketing issues are compounded by a broader geopolitical context, including tensions related to U.S. policies under President Donald Trump and tariffs that affect regional dynamics around the co-hosted event. These factors contribute to a subdued atmosphere in Mexico regarding the World Cup despite the tournament’s historic multi-nation hosting arrangement.
