2026 World Cup: Exclusive, Expensive and Increasingly Out of Reach

"As an ordinary person you really have no chance of affording this tournament." This blunt assessment from a Germany-based American supporter may be the most truthful statement made about the 2026 FIFA World Cup to date.

The tournament is expanding to include 48 nations and 104 matches — theoretically offering more soccer and greater accessibility. The reality tells a different story. Premium final tickets have skyrocketed from $6,370 CAD during the initial sales phase to $10,990 CAD. That represents an 85% increase before the first whistle even blows. Secondary market listings are already showing prices near $20,000 CAD. Mexico's opening fixture against South Africa in Mexico City — a co-host match — now costs $2,985 CAD, up from $1,825 CAD.

To put this in perspective: a Brazilian supporter who invested approximately $10,000 CAD attending the Qatar tournament is now facing costs exceeding $40,000 CAD for 2026, and that's before purchasing tickets to any matches not involving Brazil. Qatar was already financially challenging for most fans from developing nations. This represents an entirely different level of economic exclusion.

Visa Requirements, Immigration Enforcement and the Reality Behind 'Everyone is Welcome'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced in 2025 that "everyone will be welcome" at the World Cup. The US State Department had a different vision. Last month, officials added 12 additional countries to a roster requiring visa applicants to post bonds reaching $15,000 CAD — technically refundable, though that misses the broader point. Qualifying nation Tunisia appears on this list. Algeria and first-time qualifiers Cape Verde were already included. Supporters from Senegal, Haiti and Ivory Coast encounter identical obstacles unless they possess an alternative passport.

Adding to these concerns, Amnesty International released a report this week that escalated the tournament from FIFA's "medium risk" designation to something substantially more alarming. The document highlights human rights and immigration concerns across all three hosting nations — violence and heavy police presence in Mexico, homelessness emergencies in Canada, and limitations on protest freedoms throughout the United States, where expanded immigration enforcement operations create genuine legal jeopardy for travelling supporters from numerous countries.

The geographic layout is significant here. This isn't a tournament contained within a single city where fans can navigate one consistent rulebook. It extends across three nations, three distinct legal frameworks, and three separate border control systems.

Italy, Iran, and Unresolved Tournament Uncertainties

Italy missed qualification once again — marking their third straight World Cup absence — falling in a playoff final on penalties to 65th-ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina, whose manager Sergej Barbarez is, remarkably, both a former Bundesliga player and a two-time finalist at the World Series of Poker. He eliminated Wales through the same method in the preceding playoff round. Penalty shootouts against Barbarez's Bosnia appear to be a losing gamble.

Actor Russell Crowe, who claims Italian heritage, described it as "a dark dawn for Italy" on social media. He may want to reserve that disappointment. Iran's participation remains increasingly questionable, and should they withdraw — whether voluntarily or by directive — FIFA retains the option to insert a replacement in Group G. Italy, as the highest-ranked eliminated team from the European playoffs, would be the logical choice. FIFA's regulations provide them the authority to make such decisions, and they've historically shown no hesitation in exercising it.

The financial outlook, at minimum, is crystal clear. Revenues are forecast to reach $10.9 billion CAD — representing a 56% increase over Qatar 2022. Broadcasting rights are anticipated to surpass $4.2 billion CAD for the first time. Matchday revenues could reach $3 billion CAD, compared to $950 million CAD in Qatar. A 216% surge.

The revenue is undeniably present. The critical question remains who this tournament is truly being organized for — and which fans are being excluded while generating those profits.