FIFA World Cup 2026

[PK781]

On a side note, france team looks more of African origin than french…..same with some others. Europeans don’t like outsiders yet they are ok to use african players to represent them. Double standards much of these Europeans

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

I’ve heard of very high ticket and transportation costs which will deter most people.

I have a feeling those hotels won’t be half full as people won’t be coming or spending much……

Lets see the aftermath once tournament is over, it will be obvious by then lol

Mrs. AZ is a huge tennis fan. Would love to take her to see Roland Garros or Wimbledon. The price of tickets make it prohibitive.

So not surprised to be hearing this.

 

[ghazi52]

World Cup transport prices cut after fan backlash​

MetLife Stadium will be known as New York/New Jersey Stadium for the tournament as part of Fifa's policy on corporate sponsored names

Flora Snelson
BBC Sport journalist

Prices for trains and buses to World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey have been cut following a backlash from fans.

The price of a train ticket has been slashed from $150 (£111) to $98 (£73) while shuttle bus fares are down to $20 (£15) from $80 (£59).

Thomas Concannon, leader of the Football Supporters' Association England fan group, previously criticised "astronomical" event pricing - which he described as "completely out of the norm".

MetLife Stadium - which will be known as New York/New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup as part of Fifa's policy on corporate sponsored names - will host eight matches including the final and one of England's Group L games.

Rail journeys from Penn Station in Manhattan to the venue, which is about 18 miles, are normally $12.90 (£9.50) for a return fare.

New Jersey governor Mikie Sherril previously criticised Fifa's refusal to subsidise transport at the event and insisted local taxpayers would not foot the bill.

Travel at the World Cups in Russia and Qatar was free, and the USA had committed to offer the same perk in its 2018 host agreement.

In a tweak to the agreement made in 2023, it was decided that supporters would be able to travel at cost.

 

[Watandar]

The ticket prices for this World Cup are all north of a thousand dollars each and absurdly expensive. I will not be attending any games as a result. This was an opportunity to grow the sport in the US, like the 1994 cup, but FIFA and others opted to just treat it as a money making exercise.

 

[Master Chief]

The ticket prices for this World Cup are all north of a thousand dollars each and absurdly expensive. I will not be attending any games as a result. This was an opportunity to grow the sport in the US, like the 1994 cup, but FIFA and others opted to just treat it as a money making exercise.

Honestly it's just baffling to me. We will need to come to terms with the fact that Americans simply don't understand what football is and what it means to the fans. They did so well with the 1994 tournament too, but they have clearly gone backwards since then.

Russia and Qatar were better hosts than this year's effort. Russia and Qatar!!

 

[Blueishere]

On a side note, france team looks more of African origin than french…..same with some others. Europeans don’t like outsiders yet they are ok to use african players to represent them. Double standards much of these Europeans

They were born in france, raised there, and are the most talented team in the world, by a margin. Touch grass.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

The ticket prices for this World Cup are all north of a thousand dollars each and absurdly expensive. I will not be attending any games as a result. This was an opportunity to grow the sport in the US, like the 1994 cup, but FIFA and others opted to just treat it as a money making exercise.

I won't be surprised if this turns into a tourism bust.

 

[royalharris]

China may not broadcast this World Cup at all.
If China does not broadcast it, Chinese sponsors may choose to withdraw from FIFA, which would cause FIFA to lose a large portion of its sponsorship revenue.
The value of the World Cup will continue to decline.

 

[AZ_HighCountry]

China may not broadcast this World Cup at all.
If China does not broadcast it, Chinese sponsors may choose to withdraw from FIFA, which would cause FIFA to lose a large portion of its sponsorship revenue.
The value of the World Cup will continue to decline.

For the wrong reasons.

 

[Master Chief]

China may not broadcast this World Cup at all.
If China does not broadcast it, Chinese sponsors may choose to withdraw from FIFA, which would cause FIFA to lose a large portion of its sponsorship revenue.
The value of the World Cup will continue to decline.

Very doubtful. China is of marginal importance to FIFA'S finances. In fact, the middle east is the real cash cow for Infantino. The 2034 world cup is in Saudi Arabia for a reason.

 

[ghazi52]

The first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show will feature Shakira, Madonna and BTS​

Shakira is also the lead artist on the World Cup anthem 'Dai Dai'.

Reuters
15 May, 2026




Madonna and Shakira will line up with K-pop supergroup BTS to headline the first-ever World Cup final halftime show at the ‌MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, FIFA said on Thursday.

Coldplay singer Chris Martin will curate the extravaganza scheduled for July 19, the tournament’s organiser added.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final halftime show ⁠will be a truly special moment, bringing together music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on social media.

“Together, we will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund and help create greater access to quality education and ‌football ⁠for children worldwide.”

 

[ghazi52]

The 48-team World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will run from June 11 to July 19. The tournament will feature 104 ⁠matches, up from the previous 64, including an additional knockout round.

Last year’s Club World Cup in North America, ⁠which served as a test run for the World Cup, also featured a halftime show ⁠including performances from American rapper Doja Cat, Colombian singer J Balvin and Nigerian singer Tems.

 

[ghazi52]

US relaxes visa bonds for World Cup fans​

Five counties required to pay visa bonds

AFP
May 15, 2026

WASHINGTON: The United States said Wednesday it would ease its system of demanding bond payments of visa applicants for certain fans seeking to come for the World Cup.

Under one of President Donald Trump's many initiatives to crack down on migration, the United States has begun asking people from 50 developing countries to hand over anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 for a US visa, refundable once they return home.


The State Department said it would waive the bonds for team members competing in World Cup matches in the United States as well as for fans from competing countries who already have tickets and signed up for a priority system set up for visas.

"We remain committed to strengthening US national security priorities while facilitating legitimate travel for the upcoming World Cup tournament," said Mora Namdar, the assistant secretary of state for consular affairs.

 

[ghazi52]

Canadian football ready for World Cup​

They will face Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12 in their World Cup opener

AFP
May 14, 2026

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies (right) heads a new generation of players who have lifted Canada up the global rankings. Photo: AFP

LONDON: Exactly 150 years after Carlton Cricket Club and Toronto Lacrosse Club took part in the first recorded organised football match in Canada in 1876, Canadian soccer is finally ready for its coming out party.

When Canada faces Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 12 in the team's first ever World Cup match on home soil, it will be the latest stop on a decades-long journey of development that has seen football gain a solid foothold in a sporting landscape dominated by ice hockey.

Already the largest participatory sport in Canada with nearly one million registered players, the 2026 World Cup is set to deliver another jolt of momentum to the country's rapidly emerging football scene.

Canada will host 13 matches -- six in Toronto, seven in Vancouver -- with Canada also facing Qatar and Switzerland in Group B.

In two previous appearances at the World Cup -- the 1986 finals in Mexico and the 2022 tournament in Qatar -- Canada has compiled a perfect record of futility: played six and lost six.

 

[Master Chief]

US hotel owners expected a World Cup boom - so far it hasn't happened

An industry body survey found hotels in World Cup host cities see the tournament as a "non-event".

www.bbc.co.uk

Not sure what these hoteliers expected. A combination of Trump and local policy has scared off and/or priced out the average football fan. This looming debacle is not the fault of the World Cup but the fault of one of the host countries and their facilitation by FIFA.