2026 FIFA World Cup

[BigDunc'sFod]

Both my wife and I love in new York and applied for the lotteries. Even if we win the prices are a joke. Sad that there's World Cup games in our city and we'll be watching it on telly

 

[summerisle]

A depressing, but predictable read.

A single match cost me thousands of dollars at 2026’s World Cup of the 1% | Leander Schaerlaeckens

With ticket sales phases under way and prices reaching eye-watering levels, my experience raised a crucial question: who is this World Cup for?

www.theguardian.com

 

[judge]

48 teams qualifying. That's virtually every South American nation. When they increrase it to 64 (as they will do because they're greedy barstewards who live to make more and more money) it will be every South American Nation. Laughable!

 

[TexanToffee]

When Qatar got the damn thing the game was up for fans wanting to travel to these places and enjoy the jamboree without being gouged, jailed, or having their human rights abused.

I'm not going to defend the current state of the US, but didn't Qatar have all their stadiums built by literal slave labor?

 

[Drico]

I'm not going to defend the current state of the US, but didn't Qatar have all their stadiums built by literal slave labor?

Pretty much. You could have made an argument that Russia deserved to host a World Cup because of its size, football history, and tradition (despite its obvious problematic pedigree), but the Rubicon was crossed when the Qataris were awarded the prize. I think even Blatter was surprised by the shamelessness of delegates and the lack of any attempt to hide in plain sight.

The truth is most FIFA delegates come from corrupt kleptocracies. They must have wondered what all the fuss was about.

 

[Vaughan]

thouught qatar 22 would be crap and ended up being one of the most fun tournaments in my lifetime

so will hold judgement

but 48 teams and the trump show is not appealing

 

[summerisle]

 

[Drico]

"Johnny" is awarding his master a "peace" prize now...

He really fancies himself as a nefarious secretary general of the United Nations, doesn't he? Poundship Bloefeld.

 

[JimEFC_2]

FIFA peace prize for a dementia riddled fool. All to stop him stealing the world cup trophy

 

[Johnniepk]

104 games. As a collector of world cup tickets its a tall order. A lot of games and the digital ticket rubbish will make this difficult

 

[summerisle]

 

[ElGato]

48 teams is a joke.
Money,money money is all it is about.
24 is the sweet spot 1982, 1986 and 1990 prove this.
All having 48 teams does is guarantee plenty of uncompetitive group matches like England Panama in 2018

One of the best drinking days of my life

 

[Toffeeslam]

Both my wife and I love in new York and applied for the lotteries. Even if we win the prices are a joke. Sad that there's World Cup games in our city and we'll be watching it on telly

Let’s see if your man Mamdani can put some pressure on for affordable ticketing.

I’m swerving this World Cup for the next one where far easier to get to and the countries involved are genuine football countries where football dominates the sports scene.

Feels like this World Cup is sbout making as much money as possible

 

[Rita_Poon]

So, if they expand it again, will they chop it into two halves, have a month whittling the lower half of 32 down to 8 to join the top* 32 then play out the finals* so to speak as usual? A two part world cup would make neighbouring countries ideal for sharing the tournament, more games, more grounds, more tickets, more tv, more moolah.

 

[Jacko93]

Not for me all this. I used to as a kid, but unfortunately this one more than ever seems to be far too political. I genuinely couldn't care any less for this.