The 2026 World Cup is less than 1 month away from its opening, and the fever to get tickets continues to grow. The World Cup, jointly organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has generated high expectations. However, the cost of tickets in U.S. territory has been controversial, even prompting high-level political complaints.
Despite complaints about elevated prices, a recent analysis by USA TODAY’s purchasing team showed that it is still possible to attend this global event without breaking the bank, according to details from The Register-Guard. After carefully reviewing all 72 group stage matches, they found 6 games in the United States where tickets can still be found for less than $200.
The city offering the most affordable options on the resale market is San Francisco. Tickets for matches at Levi’s Stadium, located in the nearby city of Santa Clara, lead the accessibility list. At this venue, fans can find tickets starting at $171, a true rarity in the current World Cup market.
Why Have Prices Caused So Much Controversy?
The cost of attending 2026 World Cup matches in the United States has generated enormous criticism from fans. Many soccer fans, especially within Latino communities, have expressed frustration seeing how prices in the secondary market reach thousands of dollars for the most attractive matches or popular national teams.
The situation recently escalated. The controversy over overpricing reached the White House and prompted direct statements from President Donald Trump last week, according to a The Register-Guard report on World Cup prices. The president openly criticized the high costs facing American fans compared to venues in Mexico and Canada.
Despite widespread discontent, the resale market and platforms like StubHub continue to dominate ticket availability at this point. For buyers with tight budgets who simply want to experience attending a World Cup, the 6 options below $200 represent the last viable opportunity.
What Are the Most Affordable Matches?
The USA TODAY analysis identified affordable options distributed across different areas of the United States. The list begins on the west coast with the San Francisco 49ers stadium. Two of the cheapest matches will be played there: Austria against Jordan on June 16 starting at $171, and Jordan against Algeria on June 22, with tickets starting at $182.
