Many fans were “left frustrated by long waits, technical glitches and hiked prices” when FIFA opened the “last-minutes sales phase” of 2026 World Cup ticket sales on Wednesday -- with a Category 1 ticket to the final “now topping $10,000,” according to Henry Bushnell of THE ATHLETIC. Many “ultimately waited for hours before being allowed to enter.” Some were “mistakenly sent by FIFA to the wrong portal.” Fans noted that tickets to “roughly 40 of the World Cup’s 104 matches were more expensive Wednesday than they had been in any previous ticketing phase.” A single Category 1 ticket to the final cost $10,990, up from $8,680 in December, from $7,875 in November, and from an initial $6,370 back in October when sales begun. FIFA “did not lower any prices,” despite suspicions that a “handful of matches are not selling well at all.” FIFA has not said how many tickets will be available in this sales phase, nor has it provided any other detailed information. The sales phase that opened Wednesday is the last of four phases. The tickets available Wednesday “do not necessarily represent the remaining inventory, though.” FIFA said last week that “tickets will continue to be released on a rolling basis” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/1). In Toronto, Dan Bilicki noted tickets for the Canadian men’s national team’s opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina have “dramatically increased in price on resale markets.” Bosnia and Herzegovina clinched its spot in the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday after scoring an upset victory over powerhouse Italy. With Italy -- which boasts a large group of fans in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area -- having been favored to win and qualify for the tournament, ticket prices had “been expected to cool for Canada’s opener.” Instead, prices have “nearly doubled their original value” (TORONTO SUN, 4/1).
MOUNTING CONCERNS: In N.Y., James Barron wrote some small-to-medium-size business improvement districts “are concerned that they won’t get the necessary city permits in time for World Cup-themed events that they want to hold.” A City Hall spokesperson noted that officials from the NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani administration offered “‘guidance’ to B.I.D.s last week … ‘encouraging them to submit applications for their proposed events.’” But Jeffrey LeFrancois, the Meatpacking District Management Association executive director, said that the “clock was ticking” (N.Y. TIMES, 4/1).
STADIUM MAKEOVER: In Philadelphia, Rob Tornoe noted for a month, the Eagles’ home will “undergo a massive makeover and shed just about all of its corporate branding thanks to FIFA requirements about ‘clean zones’ at stadiums hosting 2026 World Cup matches.” That includes “covering or removing everything.” A huge Lincoln Financial Field sign that points skyward from the stadium’s roof will also “need to be covered.” Host City Exec & CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Meg Kane said that even after 18 months of dialogue and planning, conversations are “ongoing with FIFA over how best to cover the logo.” The policy also “extends to Eagles branding.” The changes “won’t happen until mid-May.” The Super Bowl statue featuring former NFLer Nick Foles and former coach Doug Pederson “likely will be moved and stored for the tournament” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/1).
HEADING TO TEXAS: In Dallas, Jose Sanchez Cordova noted Sweden became the final team headed for a group stage game at AT&T Stadium. The Swedes, potentially including FC Dallas D Herman Johansson, will also be “training at Frisco’s Toyota Stadium throughout the World Cup.” The other “notable result” for D-FW was Czechia’s penalty shootout victory over Denmark, which landed the Czechs at the new Mansfield Stadium for their base camp. FC Dallas President and co-Chair the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee Dan Hunt “spoke glowingly about the ‘first-class facilities’ that await both squads in North Texas” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/1).
FINANCIAL WORRIES: THE ATHLETIC’s Crafton & Slater wrote UEFA is “lobbying FIFA to increase World Cup prize money and overall financial support for federations whose national teams are competing in the men’s World Cup in North America this summer.” Sources noted that UEFA has “been asked by several of the European member associations to raise the matter with FIFA.” European associations, which run the national teams and the sport in their countries, are “concerned that the substantial costs associated with the World Cup will eat into their ability to make significant money during the tournament, and may even cause them to lose money,” with The Guardian first reporting these worries in February. Now, however, the matter is “being escalated on behalf of concerned associations by UEFA, who did not wish to comment.” FIFA, which also declined to comment, is “aware of these concerns” and sources say that the organization is “working on possible solutions with participating associations.” The matter is “due to be discussed behind closed doors at the upcoming annual FIFA Congress in Vancouver at the end of May” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/1).
