Thiago Pessao grew up idolizing the World Cup. By 2014, when Brazil hosted the tournament, he had attended 23 matches; he saw 17 games in Russia in 2018. Qatar 2022 was on his calendar until Brazil’s early elimination and an agreement with his wife scaled back his plans. Still devoted to following Brazil, he finds the mostly US-hosted, expanded 2026 World Cup forcing him to rethink the usual fan pilgrimage.
Pessao estimates his spending for 2026 will already total $30,000–$40,000 (€26,000–€35,000). Tickets for Brazil’s group games in New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami plus a likely round-of-32 game in Houston have cost him more than $4,000. Return airfare from Brazil runs about $5,000, and internal flights, hotels, extra match tickets and everyday costs quickly add up. By comparison, he spent just over $10,000 in Qatar and considerably less at earlier tournaments. If Brazil reach the final, his bill will rise substantially — and that doesn’t include the neutral matches he typically attends.
One reason is FIFA’s new dynamic pricing and its ticket resale platform, which so far has seen limited demand. Pessao, who sold a 2022 final ticket, is now wary of paying high prices and additional fees before fixtures and travel plans are certain. He recognizes his budget and flexibility are unusual, particularly compared with fans from lower-income countries.
After fan pressure, FIFA offered a small number of $60 tickets in December, but Pessao worries that the familiar fan culture — street marches, singing and boisterous support — may be muted. He also fears a harsher political and policing environment in the United States. He said the visible presence of immigration enforcement could dampen the atmosphere for visiting supporters.
US fan Adaer Melgar, who began saving $100 a month after the United States won the hosting bid, was surprised by the final tab. 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 raised ethical concerns about the Trump administration’s policies and about FIFA’s plans for fan areas; charging admission to fan zones, he said, feels like an unprecedented “money grab.”
For some supporters the combined cost and sense of unwelcome are enough to stay home. Bengt Kunkel, the Stimmungsmacher (fan leader) for Germany, estimates average expenses for German fans to attend three group matches at €5,000–€8,000 ($5,766–$9,226). “As an ordinary person you really have no chance of affording this tournament,” he said, and he added that new social-media screening requirements for visitors to the US helped persuade him not to travel.
Consumer and supporter organizations have pushed back. European consumer group Euroconsumers and Football Supporters Europe filed a complaint alleging that FIFA breached EU competition rules, pointing to pricing practices, the resale platform that charges both buyers and sellers 15%, dynamic pricing and what they call pressure-selling. The groups say targeted emails promising “exclusive access” and a “limited” window created artificial urgency and rushed fans into decisions.
Visa and travel restrictions add further uncertainty. Past World Cups used fast-track temporary visa processes; for 2026 FIFA introduced FIFA PASS to provide expedited visa interview opportunities, but FIFA warns that holding a ticket does not guarantee a visa. That has been an acute problem for some fans: supporters of first-time qualifier Jordan report delays and rejections, compounded by an embassy closure connected to regional conflict.
The US State Department recently added 12 countries to a list requiring visitors to post bonds of up to $15,000; Tunisia was a new addition, while Algeria and Cape Verde were already listed. At the same time, travel bans tied to policies from the Trump era mean people from Senegal, Haiti and Ivory Coast could be prevented from attending unless they hold alternate passports. Those restrictions clash with 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,” and his repeated emphasis that fans are central to the tournament.
Fans from affected nations have expressed anger and dismay. A Senegal supporter told DW that if fans are excluded, “our teams shouldn’t go and neither should we,” arguing competitions lose their soul without the supporters who bring atmosphere to matches.
Whether blocked by travel bans, stung by visa hurdles, worried for personal safety, or simply unable to afford the trip, many supporters around the world are finding it hard to feel welcome at a US-hosted World Cup. Reporting contributed by Dana Sumlaji and Thomas Klein. Edited by Chuck Penfold.