Why FIFA’s 2026 World Cup is such a rip-off
The author reflects on the cost of attending sporting events in the U.S., particularly the NBA Finals and the Super Bowl, and compares it to the prices of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They argue that the prices for the World Cup are exorbitant and unaffordable for many fans, despite the U.S. being the "most developed" entertainment market in the world. The author discusses the factors contributing to the high ticket prices, including the explosion of player salaries, the transformation of stadiums into billion-dollar entertainment complexes, and the influence of media economics and ticket resale platforms. They also highlight the irony of FIFA chasing maximum revenue while risking the very audience that made the World Cup seemingly priceless.