There is a big problem in the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The ticket prices are just so expensive. The World Cup is meant to be a celebration of the best soccer players getting to compete for the biggest tournament in the world. However, the United States economy has different ideas. For a first round matchup between Austria and Jordan, the cheapest ticket in the house is $700. That is a solo ticket at the very top of the stadium. Not to mention taxes, concessions, and gear, that is a highway robbery. To put this in perspective a group stage match in Qatar was $55. The World Cup is nothing without die hard fans flying from across the world to watch their team play in a tournament that happens once in every 4 years. How do we expect a family struggling to make ends meet, fly all the way from Senegal to afford these tickets. Something needs to change. 

      ¨I believe that the World Cup should be free for traveling fans,” said Devin Brilliant, a junior and MLS Next Soccer Player. “That way everyone can enjoy such a fun tournament.”

      However, there is a solution to this problem. Federations need to do what college sports are doing. In the NCAA championships, colleges will pay for their students’ travel and tickets to go support their team. This way, the students are able to root for their school without having to pay the crazy ticket prices that these big games cost. If this was the case in the World Cup, then fans from every country would have the same opportunity to support the team they love so dearly, without having to worry about breaking the bank. This was what happened in the Qatar World Cup, as there was a designated area for fans where they could sleep and live for ridiculously low fares. Also, there would be free transportation to and from the airport for the fans of each nation.

      With these solutions put into place, the World Cup would be exactly what it was designed to be, a place where every fan across the world can support their team in the biggest event in sports.