Most World Cup tickets sell quickly.
The exceptions have been games involving low-profile teams... and, remarkably, the high-priced U.S. opener.
@theathletic.com has seen a document that shows sales for that match lagging behind others in LA, such as Iran-NZ.
Story w/ @adamcrafton.bsky.social:
A couple weeks ago, Matt Crocker was still talking dreamily about the future of U.S. Soccer.
But he was also "frustrated," he told me, by one of his main tasks.
That's not (necessarily) why he left, but it speaks to what he's leaving behind.
Unpacking Crocker's departure @theathletic.com:
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves federation for Saudi Arabian Football Federation just two months before the World Cup.
As first reported by @dougmcintyre.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...
Update @theathleticfc.bsky.social...
some "Front" seats today were *triple* the Category 1 price.
$2,790 for US-Turkey
$2,295 for Argentina-Algeria
$1,965 for Scotland-Morocco
$1,935 for Germany-Ivory Coast
More:
FIFA has actually now listed some "Front Category 1" seats for *more than* double the price of Cat 1 tickets.
Examples here from knockout games in Philly ($2,265, up from $905) and Bay Area ($1,915, up from $765).
Currently over 2,000 tickets available for USMNT-Paraguay opener, btw
New (seriously):
FIFA has now created an extra ticket category to sell "front" row World Cup seats for double the price of Category 1 tickets — which supposedly could’ve yielded “front” row seats when bought months ago.
Fans feel deceived.
More @theathletic.com: www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...
“A lot of people feel misled, or confused, or maybe just generally let down about the way seats were assigned,” one of the many aggrieved fans told @theathleticfc.bsky.social.
All the details at link above — and, incredibly, more to come, likely tomorrow 👀
And sure enough, when FIFA converted all tickets to specific seat locations last week, none of them — or at least none of the tickets to popular matches listed for resale — were placed in any of those prime locations.
But separately, FIFA was selling hospitality packages and showing maps like this one — which seems to suggest that most of those coveted sideline seats are actually reserved for hospitality...
Here is the map that FIFA showed anyone who wished to go to a World Cup match in Los Angeles.
It seems to suggest that, if you buy a Category 1 ticket, you could get a seat anywhere in the 100 or 200 level — including along the sideline, perhaps near midfield. (🧵...)
New: World Cup ticket buyers accuse FIFA of “misleading” them.
Altered categories, seat maps that failed to disclose hospitality sections — "it's hard not to feel scammed," one fan told me.
Full story free to read @theathletic.com:
When World Cup tickets went on sale months ago, the pricing structure was described as outrageous, and was met with a furious response.
It has only gotten more expensive since.
@henrybushnell.bsky.social describes how dynamic pricing has driven huge increases in ticket costs ⤵️
An analysis of 2026 World Cup ticket costs — AKA my gigantic spreadsheet, compiled via screenshots & info from fans over the past 6 months — reveals the full impact of FIFA's dynamic pricing so far.
On average, Cat 1 prices up $201 since initial release.
Free to read @theathletic.com:
If you'd like a sampling of fans feel about FIFA...
A Category 1 ticket to the 2026 World Cup final now costs $10,990.
FIFA has raised prices for dozens of matches, yet again, as the last sales phase begins.
Story + details @theathletic.com:
We @theathletic.com have live coverage of USMNT-Portugal, including lineup analysis, right here: nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
It's a fascinating starting 11, likely with Pulisic at striker — something that Pochettino hinted at yesterday.
The USMNT's World Cup Group:
🇹🇷 Turkey
🇦🇺 Australia
🇵🇾 Paraguay
It's winnable. It's also losable.
It's by far the most balanced group at the 2026 tournament.
Mauricio Pochettino watched Colombia-France and came away impressed by the intensity.
I saw the Dempsey documentary and thought about the intensity that made him special.
That intensity is a mandate for this (and any) #USMNT.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...
10 years ago, football did not recognise Kosovo. Tonight, they can qualify for the World Cup.
A decade of challenges & resistance could bring "the most important day since independence". The symbolism goes beyond the pitch.
Free to read @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...
FIFA's newly mandatory "hydration breaks," implemented for the first time this month, have split opinion.
They "annoyed" USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.
But they've been valuable as "tactical breaks."
"The game will change completely," Roberto Martinez said.
How, and why, did the USMNT unravel vs. Belgium?
Lots of reasons, but one underlying factor: Poch went back to a formation that worked well in possession but left the U.S. exposed in transition — especially against the best player on the field:
A decade ago, on March 29, 2016, a skinny teenager from Hershey, Pa., stepped onto a field in Columbus for his #USMNT debut.
10 moments from 10 years of Christian Pulisic.
"He pushes us to be great," Tim Weah said.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
“You put so much into it to get to that point."
"Proving yourself each and every day is extremely important.”
"You want to get on the team. So that was always in the back of your head.”
On the pressure & intensity of March camp before a World Cup cut.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...
I sat down with Gio Reyna at USMNT camp in Atlanta.
Was struck by his optimism and gratitude — bit different from 2022.
We also talked about his latest injury (a reoccurring one), his dog (whom he wanted to name "Messi"), and more.
Feature @theathletic.com:
📍Atlanta
Big, and busy, USMNT week.
All 27 players here, healthy and training.
(video ft. Weston giving Joe Scally some shit during rondos)
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...
FIFA is forcing NFL stadiums to scrub all sponsor logos/branding for the World Cup — even on their roofs.
But one roof proved so complex that it got an exemption.
Story @theathletic.com:
Mauricio Pochettino spent much of 2025 disassembling and re-assembling the USMNT.
The roster he announced yesterday, and that will convene next week in Atlanta to open 2026?
It is, more or less, his re-assembled USMNT core.
There was broad alignment on the Waldos-inspired "stripes" kit.
For the "stars" kit, though, players asked Nike for a "re-do."
Some wanted a "bad-ass black" jersey. One Nike director recalls the message being: "We just want something we can wear to the club."
That's how they landed here:
