Trending Now - Surge of Unsold World Cup Tickets, USA Matches Included
WHO:
Newsweek - Scott Friedman, host of Ticket Talk
WHAT:
Alternet - Ticket prices for the June 22 clash between Jordan and Algeria in San Francisco were listed from as low as $98 on secondary markets, while the average cheapest resale price across group-stage games is around $559.
Alternet - There are at least nine group-stage games with more than 1,000 tickets left, according to Ticket Scout.
Alternet - Tickets for the Canada v. Bosnia game in Toronto show that there are around 3,000 more tickets available, accounting for over $8 million in sales.
BBC - A study commissioned by FIFA predicted that the World Cup could create 185,000 jobs and add $17.2 billion (£12.7 billion) to the gross domestic product in the US.
BBC - Up to 70% of hotel rooms reserved by FIFA in cities like Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seattle have been cancelled.
BBC - Hotel prices in cities like Boston are still more than $300 (£224) a night, while fans are working with a budget of $75 (£56) per person per night for accommodation.
BBC - Airbnb stated that the World Cup is on course to be the "biggest hosting event in Airbnb's history," surpassing the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
Newsweek - Thousands of World Cup tickets remain unsold, including those for USA games.
Reddit Sports - FIFA priced tickets too high for all 104 games, leading to a "complete disaster," according to Scott Friedman.
WHY:
Alternet - Anti-American sentiment is suggested to be prompting people to stay away from the World Cup events.
Newsweek - The high pricing of tickets by FIFA is cited as the reason for the unsold tickets.
(UPDATED May 20, 2026 16:11 UTC)
Ticket prices for the upcoming June 22 match between Jordan and Algeria in San Francisco are starting at $98 on secondary markets, while the average resale price for group-stage games is around $559. Additionally, there are over 1,000 tickets still available for at least nine group-stage matches, and the Canada versus Bosnia game in Toronto has about 3,000 tickets left, which could generate over $8 million in sales. Reports suggest that anti-American sentiment may be causing some fans to avoid attending World Cup events.
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(UPDATED May 20, 2026 13:53 UTC)
A new study commissioned by FIFA predicts that the upcoming World Cup could create 185,000 jobs and contribute $17.2 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product. However, up to 70% of hotel rooms reserved in major cities like Boston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Seattle have been cancelled, leaving fans struggling with high prices that exceed $300 a night, while many are hoping to spend only $75 for accommodations. In a positive twist, Airbnb reports that this World Cup is set to become the biggest hosting event in its history, even surpassing the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
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(UPDATED May 20, 2026 11:53 UTC)
Thousands of World Cup tickets are still unsold, including those for games featuring the USA, according to Scott Friedman, host of Ticket Talk. Friedman described FIFA's decision to price tickets too high for all 104 games as a "complete disaster." The high ticket prices are being blamed for the significant number of unsold seats.