Critics Warn Fans About High Costs and Risks of Attending 2026 World Cup
Who's excited about the 2026 World Cup?
Not everyone, apparently.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to begin next month. In less than two weeks, games will have begun across North America. The United States, Mexico and Canada are hosting the 2026 World Cup, with the final match being held at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey in mid-July.
But while the World Cup is supposed to be soccer's grandest stage - and, really, it is - not everyone is thrilled about the start of the 2026 tournament.
Brian Reade, a prominent global columnist, is warning fans attending the 2026 World Cup: do so against your own peril.
He's not excited for the atmosphere or the makeup of the 2026 tournament.
"Vast swathes of host stadiums have been gobbled up by corporate packages, the ticket and hotel prices are scandalously prohibitive and there are long distances to travel on expensive planes between games. They're even planning an extended half-time Superbowl-style show for the final to lure in advertisers. Thousands of fans are wisely snubbing it with hotels reporting floors of empty rooms, and who can blame them? Who would want to go to America now and face the threat of Trump-inspired terror attacks or deportation by ICE agents if they don't like the colour of your skin or your social media posts?" he warned.
"This World Cup is not a glorious celebration of the planet's greatest game that it once was, but the sportwashing of the two monstrous mafias – FIFA and MAGA. FIFA boss Gianni Infantino should have resigned in humiliation after the man he invented a peace prize for, Trump, bombed Iranian civilians and continued to green light Israel's slaughter in Gaza. But where else can you draw a £4.5million salary and be flown first-class around the world being sucked up to by human rights abusers seeking football's approval?"
The 2026 World Cup does have a weird feel to it right now
Even in New York, where several games will be played, there's more of a sense of dread than a sense of excitement, based on colleagues and friends that I've spoken with.
More people seem to be annoyed that the World Cup is here, rather than excited by it.
Perhaps that'll change when the games begin.
But, right now, everyone seems to have an odd feeling when it comes to the 2026 World Cup.
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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 9:38 AM.