Knowing so many others will never have the opportunity, attending a World Cup is a privilege. I have been to three previous editions, yet ahead of the 2026 tournament in the US, Mexico and Canada, the usual anticipation is tempered by a feeling of dread and of not knowing what to expect. More than ever, these finals will extract every nickel and dime out of the attendee. Dynamic pricing and the drip feeding of match tickets to create an artificial scarcity has rightly been cause for complaints. But despite protestations, those of us who are attending are all willing participants to Fifa’s late-stage capitalism.
Football Australia also got in on the act with their controversial FA+ membership. At A$99 for the chance to secure a World Cup ticket from their participating member allocation but with no guarantee of success, most fans would have baulked if not for being drawn alongside the host nation USA, who are sure to attract huge interest. But Fomo is real and I too signed up sensing diminished opportunities.
