Security fears in the US and stratospheric prices are causing an unprecedented exodus of fans, challenging FIFA’s triumphalist narrative and putting the international mega-tournament in jeopardy.
What was supposed to be the greatest football celebration in history is turning, five months before the opening whistle, into a logistical and public relations nightmare for FIFA.
A steady stream of ticket cancellations, which has escalated to a worrying level in recent weeks, threatens to cast a pall over the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Far from the expected euphoria, a toxic mix of fear and financial discontent is driving fans around the world to abandon their World Cup dreams.
The most immediate and sombre trigger lies not on the playing field, but in the geopolitical and internal security sphere of the main host nation. Consolidated reports from specialised travel agencies and fan forums indicate a spike in cancellations following the January 7 incident in Minneapolis, where ICE agents (immigration police) fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good.
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The incident, marked by conflicting accounts from authorities and numerous citizen videos, resonated thousands of miles away. International officials, such as a UN diplomat and head of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Mohamad Safa, have publicly cancelled their travel plans and declared the US an unsafe destination due to the ” risk of arbitrary detention .”
“FIFA must realise that the power of this game lies with the fans, and that this match, from the first match in history until today, unites us all as human beings for the good of our humanity and cannot be politicised according to the interests of some of its directors,” Safa said. “The FIFA World Cup should not be held in a police state that shoots innocent people in the streets,” he added.
This fear doesn’t arise in a vacuum. It’s fueled by political rhetoric that many potential visitors perceive as hostile. Statements by key figures in Washington about taking decisive action against cartels in Mexican territory, interpreted out of context, and jocular comments by politicians about mass deportations of visitors during the tournament, have resonated deeply.
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The perception, perhaps exaggerated, but extremely powerful on social media and international media, is that travelling to North America, particularly to US cities, carries an unpredictable risk of being profiled, detained, or facing situations of institutional violence.
Sports journalists say that more than 16,800 tickets have been cancelled following the murder of Renee Good. Other unconfirmed reports indicate that more than 25,000 ticket cancellations have occurred, and the reasons are the same: the fear that, upon arrival in US territory, they may be prevented from entering or arrested for political opinions contrary to Trump.
Tickets with prohibitive prices
This climate of fear merges with a discontent that has been simmering since October of last year: FIFA’s pricing policy, considered an affront by millions. Despite cosmetic adjustments in December 2025, which introduced a very limited number of tickets at $60, the overall structure remains stratospheric. The cost to follow a national team from beginning to end, through official fan channels, ranges between $7,000 and $9,000, five times what was paid for Qatar 2022.
Historic European and Latin American fan organisations have not held back. Terms like “monumental betrayal,” “laughable insult,” and “scandalous” fill their statements. FIFA, for its part, cites record demand, 150 million applications for fewer than 10 million tickets, and the costs of an expanded 48-team tournament.
Gianni Infantino, its controversial president, defends the dynamic pricing model as something “modern and necessary.” However, at the grassroots level, the feeling is that football has turned its back on its people, favouring a wealthy corporate elite.
The impact is a perfect storm. Agencies are reporting not only cancellations, but also a drop in demand for packages that include lodging and flights, especially for matches in US cities. The backlash on platforms like X is fierce, with calls for a boycott and predictions of half-empty stadiums for non-star matches. Mexico and Canada, partners in organising the tournament, are nervously watching the problem unfold in their neighbour, but they fear the domino effect on the overall atmosphere of the event.
FIFA is thus facing its greatest non-sporting challenge. Beyond adjusting prices or launching marketing campaigns, it must address a security perception crisis that is beyond its direct control and requires high-level dialogue with US authorities. Time is running out.
The World Cup of expansion and innovation risks becoming a World Cup of fear and exclusion. The ball, for now, is in the court of politicians and the world football elite, who must act quickly to prevent the greatest sporting event from becoming a resounding failure.
FAQs
Q1: Why are fans cancelling FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets?
A1: Fans cite high ticket prices and security concerns in the U.S., including fears of arbitrary detention, as primary reasons for cancelling.
Q2: How many tickets have been cancelled so far?
A2: Reports indicate at least 16,800 tickets have been officially cancelled, with some sources suggesting over 25,000 may be affected.
Q3: Is the ticket price a major factor in the cancellations?
A3: Yes. While FIFA introduced some $60 tickets, most packages cost $7,000–$9,000 for full tournament access, five times Qatar 2022 prices.
Q4: Are other host countries affected by these cancellations?
A4: Mexico and Canada are monitoring closely, as cancellations in U.S. cities could impact overall attendance and the tournament atmosphere.
Q5: What is FIFA doing to address the crisis?
A5: FIFA defends its dynamic pricing model but must also engage with U.S. authorities to address security perceptions and restore fan confidence.
