The 2026 FIFA World Cup is quickly approaching, but for many students, the first conversation is not about matchups or predictions but about cost. Ticket prices have reportedly reached as high as $4,500 on the FIFA website. According to ESPN, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has encouraged fans to purchase directly from FIFA rather than resale platforms such as Ticketmaster or SeatGeek, where prices are often even higher. Even so, for most college students, the official prices alone make attending unrealistic.
Beyond the price tag, seating has become another concern. When purchasing multiple tickets, there is no guarantee that fans will be seated together, adding uncertainty to an already expensive investment. For students hoping to attend with friends or family, that lack of flexibility only adds to the current frustration.
Despite the controversy surrounding cost and seating, the tournament itself is set to be historic and monumental. Hosted across North America, matches will take place in 11 cities in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada, with the opening match scheduled for Jun. 11 in a tournament that runs through Jul. 19. Cities are expected to transform into gathering spaces filled with fans from around the world, integrating cultures and creating harmony amongst the fans even in the midst of the respective battles between various countries.
The 12 World Cup groups were determined through a randomized draw process, placing each qualifying team into four ‘pots.’ Each group, labeled A through L, would be randomly given one team from each of the four pots, ultimately creating 12 groups of four teams, representing a total of 48 competing countries.
While many students feel priced out, not everyone is locked out of the in-person experience. Loyola men’s soccer player Cal Lackner ‘29 got the chance to secure tickets and looks forward to attending some matches live.
“I’m lucky enough to have tickets to some of the games, and I absolutely can’t wait to watch,” Lackner said.
For most students, however, the expensive price point makes the World Cup an event that they will experience from afar.
Andrew Carlson ‘26 speaks on the cost as a college student and how attending is not feasible for him.
“Where I am at as a college student, I don’t have the money to buy tickets. Of course it would be really cool to see it in person, but honestly, I would say I get the same value watching it at home as I would being in person,” Carlson said.
Even without stadium access, the tournament still promises to captivate audiences across all continents. With global superstars such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, and Neymar potentially sharing the stage, and possibly marking the final World Cup appearances for Messi and Ronaldo, anticipation remains high among viewers.
For students like Izabella Borsukiewicz ‘27, watching from home is still meaningful.
“I come from a big soccer family and usually watch the games with them, as well as friends from high school. It’s always a better atmosphere when you have a group of people to watch the games with,” Borsukiewicz said.
Still, the pricing and seating system leaves some questioning the accessibility of the event, as Carlson noted.
“FIFA’s whole organization is very greedy and their pricing and seating is such a weird concept. A lot of people aren’t going to want to sit by themselves and don’t want to pay those prices. Their system is not accommodating for fans whatsoever,” Carlson said.
With excitement nearing its peak for the first FIFA World Cup in the United States in 32 years, students who are fans of the sport continue to grapple with the decision of paying for the in-person experience or watching the matches in the comfort of their own home. With a historic stage comes historic prices.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with its opening ceremony and match on Jun. 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico, between Mexico and South Africa, with a total of 104 matches taking place across North America in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.