Like many Brazilians, Thiago Pessao fell for the World Cup as a child. By the 2014 tournament in Brazil he was obsessed, attending 23 games, then 17 in Russia in 2018. He even planned Qatar 2022 until Brazil’s early exit and an agreement with his wife curtailed his plans. He is committed to following Brazil, but the largely US-hosted, expanded 2026 World Cup has him rethinking the usual pilgrimage.
Pessao estimates he has already spent $30,000–$40,000 (€26,000–€35,000). Tickets to Brazil’s group matches in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami and a likely round-of-32 match in Houston have cost more than $4,000. Return flights from Brazil are roughly $5,000, and internal flights, hotels, extra match tickets and spending add up. By contrast, he spent a little over $10,000 in Qatar and even less at earlier tournaments. If Brazil reach the final, his bill will balloon further — and that’s before counting the neutral matches he usually attends.
A major factor is FIFA’s new dynamic pricing and a ticket exchange platform with low demand so far. Pessao had a 2022 final ticket which he resold; this time he’s wary of paying high prices and fees before fixtures are known. He accepts that his budget and flexibility are rare, especially for fans from countries with lower incomes.
FIFA introduced a small number of $60 tickets in December after fan pressure, but Pessao worries the usual fan atmosphere — the marches, songs and vibrant support — may be diminished. He also fears the political environment in the US will affect visitors. “The presence of ICE [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] in the stadiums or in the cities will bring the atmosphere down,” he said.
US fan Adaer Melgar, who began saving $100 a month after the US won hosting rights, was surprised by final costs. Living near MetLife Stadium in New Jersey reduced some travel, but he still paid $3,400 for six tickets to two non-US matches. He also voiced ethical concerns about the Trump administration and FIFA’s approach, noting that charging to enter fan zones is unprecedented and feels like a “big money grab.”
For some supporters the expense and perceived hostility mean staying home. Bengt Kunkel, the Stimmungsmacher (fan leader) for Germany, says average costs for German fans to attend three group matches will be €5,000–€8,000 ($5,766–$9,226). “As an ordinary person you really have no chance of affording this tournament,” he said, adding that new social media checks on visitors to the US also influenced his decision not to go.
Consumer and fan groups have also reacted. European consumer group Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe filed a complaint against FIFA alleging breaches of EU competition rules, citing pricing, FIFA’s resale platform (which charges both buyer and seller 15%), dynamic pricing and pressure-selling tactics. The groups say emails pushed “exclusive access” and a “limited” ticket window that created artificial urgency and rushed fans into decisions.
Visa issues and travel bans add another layer of uncertainty. Previous World Cups used a fast-track temporary visa process; for 2026 FIFA introduced the FIFA PASS offering expedited visa interview opportunities, but FIFA emphasizes tickets do not guarantee visas. That has proved problematic for some fans, including those supporting first-time qualifier Jordan, whose applicants report delays or rejections and frustration with an embassy closure tied to regional conflicts.
The US State Department recently added 12 countries to a list requiring visitors to post bonds of up to $15,000; Tunisia was newly included, and Algeria and Cape Verde had already been listed. Meanwhile, people from Senegal, Haiti and Ivory Coast face Trump-era travel bans that could prevent them attending unless they hold alternative passports. That stands in contrast to FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s 2025 pledge that “Everyone will be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for the FIFA World Cup next year.”
Fans from affected countries have voiced anger. A Senegal supporter told DW that if fans are not accepted, “our teams shouldn’t go and neither should we as supporters,” arguing that competitions lose their soul without spectators. Infantino and FIFA have repeatedly stressed fans are central to the World Cup: “The world needs occasions of unity, of bringing teams together, of bringing people together, of bringing fans together,” he said.
Whether barred by travel bans, put off by visa hurdles, worried for their safety, or simply unable to afford the trip, many fans worldwide are struggling to feel welcome at a US-hosted World Cup. Dana Sumlaji and Thomas Klein contributed reporting. Edited by Chuck Penfold.