The World Cup is finally coming to "Soccer Town USA," but for many locals, the dream of watching it live is slipping away. Anthony Duro, a 20-year-old finance student from Kearny, New Jersey, had high hopes of catching matches at nearby MetLife Stadium—just seven miles from his home. Instead, sky-high ticket prices have priced him out, leaving him to watch the tournament from his living room.

Kearny, an industrial suburb with a rich soccer heritage, has long been known as "Soccer Town USA." Its roots trace back to the late 1800s, when Scottish and Irish immigrants brought the beautiful game to the area while working in local factories. Since then, the town of 40,000 has produced three U.S. men's national team players, including legendary goalkeeper Tony Meola. But even this proud soccer community is feeling the sting of FIFA's soaring costs.

"It's annoying because it would be nice to go see a country play here, especially since I live so close to the stadium," Duro said, taking a break from a pickup game at a field surrounded by scrapyards and warehouses. "For me, it's ridiculous." The goalkeeper, wearing a Brazil jersey, echoed the frustrations of many in his community.

The price tag for the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium is staggering: face-value tickets for the most expensive seats top $30,000—a massive leap from the $1,600 peak for the 2022 final. Standard tickets initially ranged from $2,800 to nearly $4,200, but resale prices have since soared to almost $11,000. Even President Donald Trump has weighed in, saying he wouldn't pay over $1,000 for a U.S. group-stage match.

Fan groups are outraged. Football Supporters Europe has called the pricing "a monumental betrayal," and locals like Sean McDonald of the Scots American Club—linked to the historic Kearny Scots team founded in 1895—feel the same. "Soccer is supposed to bring people together," McDonald said. "With the extravagant prices, it feels like the game is leaving the very fans who built its spirit behind."

For now, Kearny's soccer faithful will gather in living rooms and local pubs, cheering on the world's biggest tournament from a distance—just miles from the action, but worlds away from the pitch.