World Cup '26 - General

[English Natsie]

This thread is for discussion of all things World Cup. As ever, please don't discuss results for 24 hours, post-game, for those who want to watch a game on catch-up.

Just to get us in the mood for tomorrow...



I hope the South Africa fans don't have those bloomin' vuvuzelas again - the quickest way to wreck the atmosphere at any game...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

there's a separate GDT thread for immediate reactions.

[1995hoo]

… vuvuzelas …

I read those were banned from all of the stadiums this year, but that if another World Cup is played in South Africa they will be allowed there because they’re part of how people watch games in that country.

[welch]

First day shows empty seats. Of course, Gianni Infantino insists that the World Cup is sold out.

FIFA’s dynamic pricing model for tickets backfired on day one of the 2026 World Cup after a mass of empty seats were spotted at the Estadio Akron during South Korea vs. Czechia.

Exorbitant ticket prices for this summer’s event have dominated the discourse pre-tournament and the discussion will rage on as the competition progresses, especially after what was witnessed in Mexico.

While the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the 87,000-seater Estadio Azteca was packed to the rafters, South Korea’s subsequent 2–1 win over Czechia appeared far less populated.

Despite the official attendance reading 44,985 at the 45,664-capacity Estadio Akron, empty red seats were prevalent across the arena, but particularly in the center of the east stand and near the pitchside VIP section.

The Telegraph report tickets in the most affected areas generally ranged between $400 and $5000, hinting at the eye-watering prices being responsible for the vacant seats.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/fifa_world_cup/fifa-s-worst-nightmare-comes-true-on-day-one-of-2026-world-cup/ar-AA25thCj?uxmode=ruby&ctsrc=dgst&ocid=edgntpruby&pc=U531&cvid=6a2c107e5e064795871d2d2e6ea6144d&ei=8

[Natsinpwc]

Most likely the seats were sold to ticket brokers and they are asking too much.  And especially in a place like Guadalajara. Ordinary Mexicans can’t touch those prices and especially to see two teams from other continents.

[imref]

Big watch party on the mall tonight at 9PM for the USA game. My kids are going after the Nats game (assuming no weather issues). I'll head home and watch from there.

[nfotiu]

Most likely the seats were sold to ticket brokers and they are asking too much.  And especially in a place like Guadalajara. Ordinary Mexicans can’t touch those prices and especially to see two teams from other continents.

With the official seller having dynamic pricing and resales, it's hard to differentiate between ticket brokers and official sellers.   I would think if ticket brokers had actually bought tickets, they would keep decreasing prices until they sold and not eat 20,000 unsold tickets.   It seems that FIFA would rather have a stadium half full then let prices dip below $500, which is pretty annoying.  I'm mostly talking about the non-marque matches that will be half full at best.

[Natsinpwc]

With the official seller having dynamic pricing and resales, it's hard to differentiate between ticket brokers and official sellers.   I would think if ticket brokers had actually bought tickets, they would keep decreasing prices until they sold and not eat 20,000 unsold tickets.   It seems that FIFA would rather have a stadium half full then let prices dip below $500, which is pretty annoying.  I'm mostly talking about the non-marque matches that will be half full at best.

Are you saying FIFA lied with the paid attendance? Shocking!

It’s about tv revenue also. Hasn’t this happened also at the last couple World Cups?

[English Natsie]

In case you missed...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/nsoic026oi/usa-94-the-world-cup-that-changed-everything

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg74rzx582ko

The USA 'stripe' shirt arrived today - even better 'in the material' than the pictures. Credit where it's due - Nike have had an abyssmal record, on soccer shirt design, but they've pulled one out of the hat with this shirt. Scotland away (road), from Adidias,  looks good too. 

[JCA-CrystalCity]

In case you missed...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/nsoic026oi/usa-94-the-world-cup-that-changed-everything

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg74rzx582ko

The USA 'stripe' shirt arrived today - even better 'in the material' than the pictures. Credit where it's due - Nike have had an abyssmal record, on soccer shirt design, but they've pulled one out of the hat with this shirt. Scotland away (road), from Adidias,  looks good too. 

The USA really monetized the '94 Cup with big stadiums and good TV. US Soccer got to keep most of the money. FIFA didn't know how to monetize what it had. Now, FIFA puts  on most of the thing and gets a bigger % of the money

[welch]

In case you missed...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/extra/nsoic026oi/usa-94-the-world-cup-that-changed-everything

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg74rzx582ko

The USA 'stripe' shirt arrived today - even better 'in the material' than the pictures. Credit where it's due - Nike have had an abyssmal record, on soccer shirt design, but they've pulled one out of the hat with this shirt. Scotland away (road), from Adidias,  looks good too. 

1994 was great. I had started coaching my son's soccer team. This WC feels like a rip-off

[welch]

The Dutch KNVB song: First we go left! Then we go right!

[welch]

And "Vindaloo", the song for England:

[English Natsie]

The USA really monetized the '94 Cup with big stadiums and good TV. US Soccer got to keep most of the money. FIFA didn't know how to monetize what it had. Now, FIFA puts  on most of the thing and gets a bigger % of the money

The most notable thing, this time, is FIFA's adoption of the K Shaped Model (I won't put everyone to sleep...) - for the first time, it's the attendees who are paying the costs, not the host cities or the USFA, hence the ticket pricing methods...

[English Natsie]

The USA 'stripe' shirt arrived today - even better 'in the material' than the pictures. Credit where it's due - Nike have had an abyssmal record, on soccer shirt design, but they've pulled one out of the hat with this shirt. Scotland away (road), from Adidias,  looks good too. 

Should have added - go for the 'closed' design, with the full stripe front, rather than the 'open' design, which has the large white area on the front (for shirt numbers)...

[1995hoo]

… USFA …

 ??????

[Natsinpwc]

??????

Assume he meant USSF.

[Natsinpwc]

Put $1.00 on Morocco to win the tourney.  Fun to dream.  Good match against Brasil.

[English Natsie]

??????

Oops!  In most countries it's the 'Football Association' - forgot about the US having a 'Federation'...  

[English Natsie]

15,000 England fans decending upon KC - will KC ever recover?...  

[English Natsie]

Same number heading for Dallas, according to UK Police. Could be interesting...

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Hristo Stoichkov was a beast in that WC.  Germany had no idea what hit them.

1994 was great. I had started coaching my son's soccer team. This WC feels like a rip-off

[English Natsie]

Early days, but I'm in agreement with Cerferin (UEFA President) - the 48 team format is producing too many games and, more importantly, too many 'who cares' games. It hasn't helped, over here, that the GP haven't got their campaign underway yet - I've never known such a flat atmosphere for a WC. It won't happen, but a reversion to 32 teams should be in place for the next WC.

[English Natsie]

Could be interesting if the GP play Argentina...   And if Dallas stadium stewards try to stop GP banners...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgedy9w7z9o

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Early days, but I'm in agreement with Cerferin (UEFA President) - the 48 team format is producing too many games and, more importantly, too many 'who cares' games. It hasn't helped, over here, that the GP haven't got their campaign underway yet - I've never known such a flat atmosphere for a WC. It won't happen, but a reversion to 32 teams should be in place for the next WC.

It's not like  the last 16 are going to produce a team that's getting past the quarter finals, if any make it to the quarters. But people will point to the Cape Verde result like they do in the US college basketball "March Madness" when a 15 or 14 seed upsets a 2 or 3.