The 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially kick off on June 11, jointly hosted for the first time by the United States, Canada and Mexico, sparking widespread excitement across North America even before the tournament begins. Due to time differences, the opening match will take place on June 12 (Australian Eastern Time), featuring Mexico against South Africa.
However, for many football fans in the United States, attending matches in person comes at a steep cost. Ticket prices are generally high, with some group-stage tickets already costing several hundred US dollars, while tickets for high-demand matches and the final have reportedly been resold on secondary markets for tens of thousands of dollars, placing them out of reach for many ordinary fans.
In response, some city governments have introduced measures to improve access. For example, New York City has partnered with organisers to offer a limited ticket lottery and transportation arrangements, aiming to allow more residents to take part in the global sporting event.
Beyond ticket pricing, security has also become a key focus. Los Angeles will host eight matches, including the opening game, and is expected to receive hundreds of thousands of fans. Federal and local law enforcement agencies have stepped up security planning, with particular attention to crowd management and potential risks such as unauthorised drones entering restricted airspace.
At the same time, the World Cup has attracted a large number of volunteer applicants seeking to participate in the event without pay. However, the selection process is highly competitive, involving phone interviews, face-to-face interviews, physical assessments, and football knowledge tests—comparable in rigour to formal job recruitment. Despite this, applications remain strong as many hope to witness one of the world’s biggest sporting events up close.
Commentary
On one hand, co-hosting the tournament across three countries has expanded its scale and commercial value, boosting tourism, broadcasting revenue, and related economic activity. On the other hand, high ticket prices have made it difficult for ordinary fans to attend, weakening football’s traditional identity as a “people’s sport.” Similarly, even volunteer roles now require multiple rounds of screening and testing, reflecting how major sporting events have become increasingly professionalised and commercialised, rather than community-driven experiences.
Ultimately, the success of a World Cup is not only defined by what happens on the pitch, but also by whether people from all social backgrounds are able to participate. As participation costs continue to rise, how organisers balance commercial interests with accessibility will remain a key challenge for future mega sporting events.