The World Cup has always belonged to its fans. Yet in North America, where FIFA’s showpiece has arrived amid record revenues and unprecedented commercial interest, many supporters are discovering that being part of the spectacle comes at a price that is becoming increasingly difficult to justify.

Karan, originally from northern India, has been a regular at the MetLife Stadium for years, watching the New York Giants and Jets in the NFL. But attending the World Cup has proved beyond his reach.

“My wife and I have been constantly scanning the internet for the last three months,” he says. “But no luck so far. Most matches in New York are priced at over $1,200.”

Instead, now, he is considering travelling to Philadelphia, where tickets for some matches remain relatively more affordable.

For Francisco, a Brazilian from Bahia who has lived in New Jersey for three decades, the frustration is similar. While he is delighted by the New York Knicks’ long-awaited NBA title, he could not bring himself to spend what it would take to watch Brazil’s opening game against Morocco.

“We can’t afford the tickets,” he says. “And getting there is even more expensive because ride-sharing services aren’t allowed close to the stadium.”

The closest he came to World Cup action was paying $70 to attend Morocco’s final pre-World Cup friendly against Norway at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

“I love soccer and follow our players wherever they play. Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t had enough time with the team yet, but this squad has potential. Brazil will get through this group,” Francisco is optimistic.

Their stories have become increasingly common during the opening days of the tournament. Concerns over ticket prices have been amplified by reports of empty seats at some matches and criticism from politicians and supporters alike.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been among the most vocal critics, arguing that sport should not become “a luxury commodity”. His administration pushed FIFA to allocate a limited number of discounted tickets for locals. “A World Cup is coming to our backyard, and we want to ensure working-class New Yorkers have the opportunity to be part of it,” Madani said. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has also joined the conversation and has said: “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”

For FIFA president Gianni Infantino, however, the prices reflect demand. Defending the cost of tickets, he pointed to “unprecedented” interest and said: “Our entry price, which is $60, is the lowest entry price of any of the American sports and the playoff phases. Our average price, which is below $500, is again the lowest of the American sports on average.”

The ticket itself is only part of the expense. Transport has emerged as another flashpoint. Fans travelling from New York to MetLife Stadium faced a special round-trip fare that initially sparked outrage online. Defending the charge, New Jersey Transit said the fare structure was designed to support the additional services required for the World Cup and later noted that a revised $98 round-trip ticket was made possible through additional advertising revenue rather than taxpayer subsidies.

The debate is not confined to the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she missed the inaugural match because “tickets are very expensive.”

Last month, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and New York Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices, including its use of variable pricing.

As football’s biggest event grows richer, the people who give it meaning are finding themselves priced out.

For now, they continue to search ticket websites, compare train fares and make compromises. The dream of attending a World Cup remains alive. Whether it remains affordable is another matter.