The 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer, has been dealt another significant blow.
The highly anticipated tournament is already grappling with a series of crises, including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and uncertainty surrounding Iran’s participation, in addition to organizational challenges being raised well ahead of the event.
According to a report by British newspaper *The Sun*, many football fans from the UK have abandoned their plans to travel to the United States for the World Cup, stating they would rather watch the matches in bars.
This backlash stems largely from the sky-high ticket prices for the tournament, with some tickets being sold at exorbitant rates. Even U.S. President Donald Trump has weighed in, admitting he would not pay $1,000 for a single ticket, as he criticized the steep pricing.
Now, disgruntled British supporters preparing for the much-anticipated event say they are bypassing the costly tickets, hotels, and flights, instead opting for venues where alcohol is abundant. They insist this is the only way to “truly enjoy” the massive sporting event without having the exorbitant costs ruin the experience.
*The Sun* visited the popular Magaluf area just weeks before the tournament’s start to speak with young British fans, who described the prices as “absolutely ridiculous.”
Football enthusiasts are facing staggering costs ahead of this summer’s matches in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, a situation that they say is harming the reputation of the beautiful game.
Hotel and flight bookings have slumped, while one million tickets remain unsold as the tournament approaches. According to the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s U.S. hotel forecast report, international fans are turning their backs on the event.
Nearly 80% of hotels in nine host cities reported operating below expectations. It has also been noted that FIFA’s cancellation of 70% of hotel room reservations led to a wave of cancellations. Some hotels even reported a drop in bookings compared to a typical summer without a major tournament.
