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There are less than five months until the 2026 World Cup where 48 nations will play across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
42 teams have booked their places at this summer's tournament — which begins on Thursday, June 11 — and the final six spots will be given to the winners of the play-off matches in March.
Stay across all things 2026 World Cup here on The Athletic.
Olympique de Marseille and USMNT winger Timothy Weah has said he is “disappointed” at the steep prices already seen for this summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, describing the tournament as out of reach for regular soccer fans.
The final window for the men’s World Cup ticketing draw nears its close this week, and FIFA’s pricing for the competition has been largely criticized by soccer fans, particularly in Europe.
“It is too expensive,” Weah, 25, told French outlet Le Dauphiné. “Football should still be enjoyed by everyone. It is the most popular sport. This World Cup will be good, but it will be more of a show.
“I am just a bit disappointed by the ticket prices. Lots of real fans will miss matches.”
GO FURTHER
USMNT winger Tim Weah ‘disappointed’ by high cost of World Cup tickets
Time flies when you're having fun… or something.
The 2026 World Cup is now just 150 days away! The tournament begins on Thursday, June 11 and it starts with a pair of big games.
The first of them involves one of the co-hosts as Mexico host South Africa in Group A at the world-famous Estadio Azteca, the seventh-biggest football stadium on the planet in terms of capacity (87,523).
The other two teams in that group meet later in the day as South Korea host one of the successful play-off teams in Zapopan — that team will be one of Czech Republic, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland.
U.S. Soccer will reserve most of its 2026 World Cup ticket allotment for paying “Insiders” and other stakeholders, but will allocate all of FIFA’s scarce $60 tickets to members of three independent supporters groups, including the American Outlaws.
After months of uncertainty, the U.S. federation informed fans this week that it will run multiple random draws for tickets to the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup games. It controls 8% of the tickets for each USMNT match, and is allowed to distribute those tickets via distinct processes separate from FIFA’s broader lotteries, which are open to the general public. Most, though not all, of the 8% allotment will be sold to fans.
Prices are set by FIFA — and have been roundly criticized by supporters.
U.S. Soccer’s lotteries, however, add additional layers of fees and financial burden.
A majority of the U.S. Soccer tickets made available to fans — likely around 80% of those available in lotteries — will go to fans who pay between $45 and $10,000 per year for an “Insiders” membership. The $45 members get one entry into a random draw. An $85 member gets two entries; a $185 member gets three entries; a $500 member gets four entries; a $1,000 member gets five entries; and a $2,500 member gets six entries. (Those who pay $5,000 or $10,000 annually “have the right to purchase tickets and don’t need to enter the lottery,” a U.S. Soccer spokeswoman told The Athletic.)
GO FURTHER
How U.S. Soccer is allocating World Cup tickets – to USA supporters, but mostly paying members
Hello! And welcome along to The Athletic where we are continuing our build-up to the 2026 World Cup.
There are still almost five months until the tournament starts across Canada, Mexico and the United States, but there is plenty of news to get stuck into. Whether it's updates around ticket availability and pricing, or the latest going into March's play-offs, we've got you covered.
We will be running weekly live coverage from now until the tournament, so make sure to check in here to find out the latest.