The 2026 FIFA World Cup was designed to be the biggest football tournament in history. 

Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which was expanded to accommodate 48 teams and 104 matches, promising a global celebration unlike anything football has seen before. 

Yet as the tournament approaches, excitement has been dampened by concerns on visa complications, soaring travel costs to ticket controversies and fears about extreme weather. 

1248 players. 48 nations. Locked in. 🔒

The Official Squad Lists for #FIFAWorldCup 2026 are here ⤵️

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 2, 2026

Many supporters and football stakeholders now believe that attending the World Cup has become more difficult and expensive than ever.

Visa Challenges Raise Alarm Bells

One of the most worrying issues surrounding World Cup 2026 has been travel documentation and visa access. The United States remains the primary host nation, staging the majority of matches, which means many players, officials, media personnel, and supporters must navigate American immigration procedures.

South Africa’s preparations offered an early example of the potential complications. Just days before the tournament, administrative visa problems delayed the travel plans of assistant coach Helman Mkhalele and security chief Mdu Mbatha. 

Reports indicated that the issue also affected members of the broader delegation, disrupting travel schedules and reducing valuable preparation time ahead of the tournament. The delays forced South Africa to alter their plans before eventually receiving clearance to travel.

While South Africa ultimately resolved the issue, the incident highlighted broader concerns. Several football associations, supporters’ groups, and travel experts have warned that fans from Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America could face lengthy visa processing times or additional scrutiny when attempting to attend matches in the United States.

The concern is particularly significant because the World Cup is intended to be a global event. Supporters argue that restrictive visa procedures risk preventing ordinary football fans from participating in what should be the sport’s biggest celebration.

Ticket Prices Spark Global Backlash

Perhaps no issue has generated more criticism than ticket prices.

When FIFA released details of its ticketing structure, supporters across the world reacted with shock. Prices for some matches increased dramatically compared to previous tournaments, with the cheapest tickets for the final costing thousands of dollars. 

Critics accused FIFA of prioritizing revenue over accessibility and effectively pricing out ordinary fans.

BREAKING: New York and New Jersey have both issued subpoenas to FIFA, compelling the international soccer organization to disclose how it arrived at the unprecedented sky-high ticket prices for the World Cup.

The investigation will also look at other FIFA ticketing practices…

— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) May 27, 2026

The introduction of dynamic pricing intensified the controversy. Many supporters complained that prices fluctuated depending on demand, making it difficult to budget for attendance. Some fans reported spending months navigating ticket lotteries and online queues only to discover that prices had risen significantly from their initial expectations.

Supporters’ organizations labelled the pricing strategy “extortionate” and a betrayal of loyal football fans. The backlash became so intense that FIFA eventually introduced a limited number of lower-cost tickets priced at $60 for all tournament matches, including the final. However, these tickets were made available only in limited quantities and primarily through national football associations.

Even after the adjustment, many fan groups argued that the changes did not go far enough and that attending multiple matches remained financially out of reach for average supporters.

Hotels and Accommodation Costs Continue to Rise

Accommodation has become another major concern for travelling supporters.

Unlike previous World Cups hosted within a relatively compact geographic area, World Cup 2026 spans three countries and sixteen host cities. This creates enormous logistical challenges for fans attempting to follow their teams throughout the tournament.

Demand for hotels in major host cities has driven prices upward, particularly in cities expected to host knockout matches and high-profile fixtures. Supporters have complained about the cost of accommodation packages and the difficulty of securing affordable lodging near stadiums.

The vast distances between venues also mean that fans may need to book multiple hotels throughout the tournament rather than staying in a single location. A supporter following their national team from the group stage to the knockout rounds could potentially travel thousands of kilometres between matches, significantly increasing accommodation and transportation expenses.

For many fans, the combined cost of flights, hotels, match tickets, food, and local transport has transformed what was once a dream football trip into a major financial commitment.

The Heat Problem Nobody Can Ignore

Another issue generating serious concern is the weather.

Climate scientists and player welfare organizations have repeatedly warned that extreme heat could affect both players and supporters during the tournament. Studies suggest that around a quarter of World Cup matches could be played in potentially dangerous heat conditions, particularly in parts of the United States during June and July.

Cities such as Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and others have experienced extremely high summer temperatures in recent years. Experts have warned that players could face increased risks of heat exhaustion and dehydration, while supporters spending hours outdoors before and after matches may also be vulnerable.

FIFPRO, the global players’ union, has consistently highlighted the dangers associated with extreme weather in football. Although FIFA has protocols such as cooling breaks, critics argue that some match schedules may still expose players and fans to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous conditions.

The issue became even more prominent after concerns emerged during recent international tournaments held in North America, where several matches were played under intense heat.

Travel Logistics Create Additional Challenges

Beyond tickets, visas, and weather, travel itself presents a significant challenge.

The tournament’s scale means that supporters may need to cross multiple borders and take lengthy domestic flights to attend matches. A fan could watch one game in Mexico City before needing to travel to Dallas, Vancouver, or New York for the next fixture.

Such distances are unprecedented in World Cup history and add considerable costs to transportation budgets. Fans must also navigate varying entry requirements between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, creating additional complexity for international travellers.

Supporters have expressed concerns that the World Cup risks becoming an event primarily accessible to wealthy fans and corporate guests rather than the diverse global audience that traditionally defines football’s biggest tournament.