Mexico City, Jun 13 (V7N) – The 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun with a spectacular opening ceremony at Mexico City's historic Estadio Azteca, featuring traditional performances, cultural displays and a star-studded show led by Shakira.

Jointly hosted by Mexico, United States and Canada, the tournament has generated immense excitement among football fans worldwide. Billions of viewers are following the matches on television, while supporters have been making travel and stadium arrangements months in advance.

However, ticket prices for this year's World Cup have become a major topic of discussion. Even Donald Trump remarked that he would not be willing to spend more than $1,000 to watch the United States' opening match, highlighting concerns over the soaring cost of attending games.

FIFA reported that 44,985 spectators attended the Group A match between South Korea and Czech Republic in Guadalajara. However, television images showing numerous empty seats in the stadium have fueled criticism regarding ticket pricing.

While more than 80,000 fans packed the Azteca Stadium for the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, the noticeable empty sections at the 46,000-capacity stadium in Guadalajara have prompted questions about FIFA's commercial strategy.

Many supporters argue that the high cost of tickets has discouraged attendance and contributed to the vacant seats. Critics have accused FIFA of prioritizing revenue over accessibility for ordinary football fans.

Responding to the criticism, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing structure on Wednesday, stating that ticket costs were comparable to those of other major international sporting events. Nevertheless, many supporters insist that attending World Cup matches has become significantly more expensive than in previous tournaments.

According to FIFA, more than six million tickets have already been sold for the tournament, with demand across the Americas exceeding expectations. Infantino claimed that interest in tickets had increased "tenfold or more" compared to initial projections.

Meanwhile, Football Supporters Europe strongly criticized the price increases, describing them as a "betrayal" of fans. The organization noted that the highest-priced ticket for the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar was around $1,600, whereas premium tickets for the 2026 final are reportedly approaching $11,000.

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