With just two months to go before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, FIFA finds itself in an awkward predicament.
The U.S. Men's National Team's opening game against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, touted as the star-studded curtain-raiser for the American leg of the tournament, is selling considerably worse than several other games at the same venue, with mounting evidence pointing firmly at the pricing as the root cause.
An internal document circulated to local organizers, dated April 10 and reported by The Athletic, revealed 40,934 tickets had been purchased for the June 12 game between the USMNT and Paraguay. All the while, extortionate travel prices for the World Cup were recently and brazenly confirmed by New Jersey officials, whilst Philadelphia has taken a very different approach.
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In stark contrast, the Iran vs. New Zealand fixture scheduled three days later at the same stadium had already seen 50,661 tickets purchased. SoFi Stadium's World Cup capacity is listed at 69,650 by FIFA, as per The Mirror US.
The document does not account for hospitality packages and other ticket categories withheld from general sale, yet the disparity between the two games remains difficult to explain away.
FIFA responded robustly when questioned about the figures. A spokesperson stated that "ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup remain strong with a high degree of interest for all matches, including the ones you have highlighted," and contended that the document "does not accurately reflect actual sales to date," further asserting that publishing such figures would be "misleading and irresponsible."
The pricing disparity between the two fixtures speaks volumes in itself. Iran vs. New Zealand tickets are available for $450, $380, and $140 across the three principal categories. The USMNT vs. Paraguay opener was priced at $2,730, $1,940, and $1,120, making Category 1 tickets more than six times the cost of the equivalent Iran game seat.
FIFA initially designated the USMNT opener as the third-most expensive game of the entire tournament, behind only the final and one semifinal. Despite disappointing sales, it remains the only co-host nation opening game that has not had its prices increased since October. Every other comparable fixture has risen considerably, a customary indicator that demand has been healthy.
Over 4,000 tickets have been listed on FIFA's own resale platform, with at least 19 sections available below face value. Listings on StubHub paint a similar picture, with certain sellers offering tickets under face value even after taxes and fees.
Meanwhile, primary-market stock has scarcely shifted, with tracking by The Athletic revealing approximately 2,500 tickets available on April 9, with over 2,200 remaining unsold ten days later.
The sluggish sales mirror what analysts characterize as a probable miscalculation of the USMNT's appeal on home turf, especially in Southern California. The side has repeatedly failed to draw partisan crowds in greater Los Angeles.
When the USMNT faced Panama and Canada at SoFi Stadium in March 2025, substantial sections of the venue remained empty at kick-off, with most ticket purchasers more focused on the Mexico game later that evening.
FIFA on Tuesday confirmed it would release additional tickets for all 104 matches on Wednesday morning across all categories, including the new premium-priced front category it introduced this month, a tier that triggered its own backlash from supporters who felt they had been allocated less favourable seats than the categories they originally purchased suggested.