Pochettino Remains Unconcerned About World Cup Ticket Prices
Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, seems reluctant to delve into one of the most hotly debated topics surrounding the upcoming World Cup: the steep ticket prices fans are facing. In a conference call on Thursday, he mentioned that the ticket price situation is “not for us to judge,” emphasizing that he and his players are focused on their responsibilities on the field.
When asked about the escalating costs of tickets, which range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and winger Tim Weah’s expression of disappointment regarding the prices, Pochettino reiterated his stance. He stated that, well, players should express themselves through their performance during games, not through commentary on off-field issues. “It’s not my job to evaluate ticket prices,” he said, pointing out that his focus is solely on preparing the U.S. Men’s National Team to play their best.
Pochettino believes that the responsibility to address ticket pricing lies with FIFA, the governing body of soccer. He mentioned that FIFA is responsible for creating a global platform and that any questions about the situation should be directed to them. “We need to concentrate on the sport and trust that they will handle such matters properly,” he asserted.
Weah had previously articulated his feelings about the ticket situation in an interview with French media outlet Le Dauphiné. He responded to the outrageous costs, saying that football should be accessible to everyone. “This World Cup will be great, but it feels more like a show,” he added, expressing his concern that many true fans might miss out on attending games due to high prices.
The issue of costly tickets has generated significant backlash from fans, and even New York City’s Mayor Zoran Mamdani has voiced criticism. In an effort to ease discontent, FIFA has introduced a limited number of $60 tickets for dedicated fans in participating countries. These tickets, however, will be relatively scarce—numbering between 400 and 750 per team—leaving the distribution decisions in the hands of the respective national federations.
Despite the high ticket prices, interest in attending matches at the upcoming tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico appears robust. Ross McCall, executive director of commercial operations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shared that there have been over 500 million applications for tickets. A staggering 6.8 million tickets have been made available at face value, leading to soaring prices on the secondary market. Last week, reports indicated that tickets for the championship match at MetLife Stadium were being listed for over $200,000.
