The 2026 FIFA World Cup—set to span the United States, Canada and Mexico—has already been hit by mounting concerns over ticket prices, travel costs and visa access, and one international fan has shared how he abandoned his plans to attend despite already securing tickets.
Izzroy Isahak, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, told Newsweek he had already spent nearly $1,400 on three match tickets before explaining what had “killed the dream.”
“I purchased three category 2 tickets. In total, I spent approximately $1,395,” he said. But after researching the full cost of travel, the trip no longer felt viable.
“After looking into flights, accommodation, local transportation and other travel expenses, I realized the overall cost would be significantly higher than I had initially expected,” he said. Isahak even compared the price of a previous tournament he attended, and said: “During the Qatar World Cup category 2 tickets were below $200.”
Isahak said he ultimately chose to exchange the tickets through FIFA’s official resale platform, where fans can return unwanted tickets to be resold, confirming that all three had been successfully processed.
World Cup Disappointment
Isahak’s decision highlights issues that have already surfaced around the 2026 tournament, including high ticket costs, accommodation prices in host cities and travel logistics across three countries.
“I was also disappointed that there were no visa-free entry for ticket holders [and] no complimentary public transportation,” he said, contrasting the experience with previous World Cups.
Unlike Qatar 2022 or Russia 2018, where fan ID systems eased entry and often bundled transport, the 2026 tournament currently requires standard visa processes for many travelers.
Visa Controversies and Fan Experiences
Travel access has already become a flashpoint.
A Scottish soccer fan saw his U.S. visa revoked just hours before his flight, while Somali referee Omar Artan drew international attention after being refused entry to the U.S. where he was set to become the first Somali to ever referee at a World Cup.
Separate controversies have also focused on the fan experience itself.
One father said he paid for “dream” front-row seats only for FIFA to later move them, prompting backlash over transparency in ticketing allocations. Meanwhile, analysis has found that some matches could even face empty seats—not a new issue for World Cups, but one that could be exacerbated by high prices and sprawling locations.
‘The World Cup Should Belong to Fans’
For Isahak, the combination of costs and uncertainty ultimately proved decisive.
“I feel that both FIFA and the host nations have failed to put soccer supporters at the center of the World Cup experience,” he said.
“The lack of visa facilitation…no complimentary public transportation, extremely high accommodation costs and growing security concerns have created significant barriers.”
He added: “The World Cup should belong to fans, not just those with deep pockets.”
Despite canceling the trip, Isahak’s enthusiasm for the tournament itself remains.
“At the end of the day, I still love the World Cup and I hope it will be a fantastic tournament,” he said.
“Unfortunately, this time I will be watching from home rather than from the stadium.”
Newsweek reached out to FIFA via email for comment.
