Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article) A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match

If there is a potential caveat: the document does not state whether “tickets purchased” includes hospitality and other types of tickets that weren’t sold to the general public. FIFA declined to clarify that yesterday.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article) A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match

A ton of analysis in here by colleague Henry Bushnell of trends within the ticketing website (plus how US Soccer have also been attempting to push this game to fans to drive up sales), all of which supports the case for this game (at these prices) struggling to shift.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article) A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match

Document of sales data is accurate as of April 10, provided to local organizers for planning purposes by FIFA.

Clearest evidence so far that Cat 1 & Cat 2 tickets — priced at $2,730 & $1,940 - rebounding on FIFA for this game. Will FIFA drop prices?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article) A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match

REVEALED:

@theathleticfc.bsky.social has seen official “tickets purchased” numbers for World Cup group games at 70k SoFi Stadium near LA.

Sales for high-priced USMNT opener are lagging significantly (40k tickets purchased) behind games such as Iran v New Zealand.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Philadelphia to offer fans free transport when leaving World Cup games (Gift Article) Lincoln Financial Field will host six men's World Cup matches this summer, with Brazil and France among the teams playing in Philadelphia.

Exclusive

Philadelphia’s World Cup committee ensures FREE transport for fans leaving their stadium this summer, assisted by partnership with Airbnb. The in-bound SEPTA ticket to the venue is also staying at usual $2.90.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

MetLife train tickets confirmed at $150, alternative bus priced at $80 per seat (Gift Article) The Athletic first reported the pricing in a series of reports earlier this week, which ignited a row between New Jersey’s governor and FIFA

BREAKING

NJ Transit confirm $150 round-trip rail tickets to World Cup at MetLife Stadium

Alternative bus service is $80 (!) per passenger.

Locals in area to be asked to work from home if possible to help flow of stations.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

SoFi stadium workers union files complaint over ICE concerns at the World Cup (Gift Article) A formal complaint has been lodged with the National Labor Relations Board against FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Exclusive

A formal union complaint has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board against FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which accuses them of failing to restrict ICE access to SoFi Stadium ahead of the World Cup.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

SoFi stadium workers union files complaint over ICE concerns at the World Cup (Gift Article) A formal complaint has been lodged with the National Labor Relations Board against FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment

Exclusive

A formal union complaint has been filed with the National Labor Relations Board against FIFA and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which accuses them of failing to restrict ICE access to SoFi Stadium ahead of the World Cup.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...

Train tickets to MetLife Stadium from NYC set to cost more than $100 during World Cup

Exclusive @theathleticfc.bsky.social :

Current NJ Transit plans for return train from NY Penn Station to MetLife Stadium during World Cup are for tickets to be priced at over $100.

Usual price is $12.90, making it more than a 7-fold increase for World Cup fans.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Boston to charge fans $95 for bus to Gillette Stadium during the World Cup

NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social

World Cup host committee for Boston is providing alternative service to $80 MBTA trains to Gillette stadium…

A $95 bus service.

Like the trains, no special pricing for children or seniors.

Full details:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Infantino and FIFA discuss asking President Trump for moratorium on World Cup ICE raids (Gift Article) Senior executives at world football's governing body hopes its president's relationship with the White House could work to their advantage

Exclusive and free to read @theathleticfc.bsky.social

FIFA’s senior executives & Gianni Infantino have spoken about him making a President-to-President plea to Donald Trump for a *full* ICE raid moratorium across the United States during World Cup.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

FIFA faces new crisis as SoFi Stadium workers in LA threaten strike action The union UNITE HERE Local 11 has made a series of demands to FIFA and voiced major concerns about ICE agents around World Cup venues

Next crisis for FIFA? SoFi Stadium workers bargaining agreement has expired and threatening a strike at LA venue hosting eight World Cup games.

The issues: ICE, Airbnb, AI.

“At this point, (striking) is pretty realistic,” the union tell @theathleticfc.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Gianni Infantino. Peace Prize. Sky high tickets. Some fans may have had enough.

But federations? They can’t get enough.

South American confederation Conmebol call for four more years of Gianni - without him even formally declaring he is standing yet.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

White House wants FIFA to change transgender policy, with Women’s World Cup guarantees on the line (Gift Article) President Trump has praised the rule change around transgender athletes at the Olympics and wants 'the entire sports world' to follow suit

Free to read:

Trump’s White House must sign govt guarantees for FIFA to proceed with U.S. bid for Women’s World Cup in 2031

But White House wants to use its leverage for soccer to change a policy: its regulations on transgender players

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

White House wants FIFA to change transgender policy, with Women's World Cup guarantees on the line

NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social

White House wants FIFA to follow lead of IOC by issuing policy to bar transgender women from professional women’s soccer — with Trump yet to sign off on required government guarantees for US-led bid to host Women’s World Cup in 2031.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/717...

U.S. 2031 Women's World Cup bid waiting on Trump guarantees while host cities want better deal

ICYMI, FIFA has yet to confirm the U.S.-led bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2031, as reported last week by @adamcrafton.bsky.social in @theathletic.com

A fascinating push and pull that explains much about FIFA

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

U.S. 2031 Women’s World Cup bid waiting on Trump guarantees while host cities want better deal FIFA has not yet received crucial Trump government guarantees around the 2031 bid from the U.S., Costa Rica, Mexico and Jamaica

Exclusive:

Approval of U.S.-led bid to host Women’s World Cup in 2031 was postponed in significant part because… Trump’s White House has not provided required govt guarantees to FIFA & host cities want much better terms than 2026.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

U.S. 2031 Women’s World Cup bid waiting on Trump guarantees while host cities want better deal FIFA has not yet received crucial Trump government guarantees around the 2031 bid from the U.S., Costa Rica, Mexico and Jamaica

Exclusive:

Approval of U.S.-led bid to host Women’s World Cup in 2031 was postponed in significant part because… Trump’s White House has not provided required govt guarantees to FIFA & host cities want much better terms than 2026.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Train tickets between Boston and Gillette Stadium to almost quadruple in cost during World Cup

Exclusive @theathleticfc.bsky.social

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans to almost quadruple usual prices for return train ticket from center of Boston to Gillette Stadium during World Cup.

Up from $20 for NFL games to above $75.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

NEW @TheAthleticFC

Fans from several countries participating in the World Cup must deposit up to $15,000 in bond payments to receive a tourist visa to enter the USA, while FIFA is *still* pressing Trump administration for exemptions for players.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

What?

I-Visas are not in the bond program so not sure why that would not to be the case?

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

Once again, all poses questions for Infantino, who has repeatedly claimed it will be the most inclusive World Cup ever and publicly guaranteed America will welcome the world. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

When I asked about FIFA seeking to influence administration to ease on this issue, spokesperson stressed that “rules, policies, and procedures for visa processing are set in Washington, DC”

Which is a pretty firm public rebuke. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

Also: the bond deposits are per-person rather than per-party so a parent and two kids, for eg, seeking to attend World Cup from these countries may have to pay up to $45k as a bond. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

Also: FIFA/designated countries needing to press US to grant multiple-entry visas for participants (state dept moved to single entry tourist visas for many designated countries) but teams need to enter USA more than once as they play across North America

www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

Unlike travel bans, there is no written exemption for World Cup participants, which is why impacted countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cape Verde) are now seeking help from FIFA, but state dept “engaging robustly” www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

World Cup fans from several nations facing $15k bonds to enter U.S. – and players may not be exempt FIFA is trying to ensure players from Algeria, Cape Verde, Senegal, Tunisia and Ivory Coast do not have to pay bonds to compete in the U.S.

NEW @TheAthleticFC

Fans from several countries participating in the World Cup must deposit up to $15,000 in bond payments to receive a tourist visa to enter the USA, while FIFA is *still* pressing Trump administration for exemptions for players.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

‘Save the World Cup’: Trio of bills proposed to limit ICE involvement at matches in U.S. (Gift Article) The bills propose congressional limitations on ICE activity during the World Cup.

A New Jersey congresswoman has introduced a bill requesting that no federal funding should be used to carry out immigration enforcement activity within one mile of any FIFA World Cup match or Fan Festival during the tournament in the U.S. this summer.

Full story from @adamcrafton.bsky.social

‘Save the World Cup’: Trio of bills proposed to limit ICE involvement at matches in U.S. The bills propose congressional limitations on ICE activity during the World Cup.

Exclusive @theathleticfc.bsky.social

Members of Congress have introduced three bills aimed at limiting ICE during the World Cup, including restrictions on ICE activity on public transport, and on enforcement within a mile of stadiums or Fan Fests during tournament.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...