Six months. That’s it. On 19 July, the World Cup final kicks off in New Jersey, and the biggest show in football will finally reach its end. As a fan who’s counting the days, excitement is real but so are the problems.
Tickets: Brutal, Plain and Simple
Let’s not sugarcoat it: tickets are crazy expensive. FIFA is using dynamic pricing, which basically means the more fans want tickets, the more prices jump. Final tickets are several times more expensive than in Qatar 2022, even after inflation.
Yes, FIFA says it helps grow football globally. Maybe. But for regular fans, it feels like being pushed out. Only a tiny fraction of tickets stays at the lowest price, and resale fees are brutal. This World Cup already feels more like a luxury event than a fans’ festival.
Travel: Three Countries, Endless Headaches
On paper, hosting in the US, Canada, and Mexico sounds amazing. In reality? It’s complicated. Canada and Mexico are fairly easy to enter. The US is a different story.
With Donald Trump back in power, visa rules, travel bans, and intense border checks are a real concern. Fans from some qualified countries might not even make it in.
Flights are expensive, hotels are worse, and public transport to stadiums especially in the US is not great. This isn’t Europe or Japan. You’ll need money, patience, and planning.
The Football: Different Vibes This Time
The new 48-team format changes everything. Two-thirds of teams get out of the groups, so the early games won’t have the same pressure. It might take time for the tournament to truly catch fire.
That said, extra knockout games mean more do-or-die drama later. But for mid-level teams, simply reaching the knockouts won’t feel like the achievement it once did. Expectations are already shifting.
The Trump Factor
Whether fans like it or not, Trump will be everywhere. He loves the spotlight, has a strong relationship with FIFA leadership, and has already shown he’s willing to mix politics with sport. Travel bans, heavy security, protests it’s hard to imagine this World Cup staying “just football.”
Final Whistle (For Now)
Six months out, the 2026 World Cup feels massive, historic… and messy. The football will still deliver moments we’ll never forget. But for fans, especially traveling ones, this might be the most difficult World Cup to attend in decades.
We’ll still sing. We’ll still believe.
But this time, it comes at a cost in money, freedom, and peace of mind.
