Pep Guardiola has openly criticized the costs around the FIFA World Cup 2026, warning that the game is drifting away from the people it depends on.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s FA Cup semi-final, he drew a clear line between past and present. “Before, the World Cup was a celebration, people travelled across the world to watch their country, and it was affordable,” he said. “Now, it has become so expensive.”
Indeed, ticket and travel prices for the 2026 tournament in North America have raised eyebrows.
Guardiola also questioned the direction of the sport. We have to think about it. Football is for the fans,” he said. “This business doesn’t work without them.”
This comes as fans are also growing frustrated with being priced out of attending matches, especially at a tournament historically seen as accessible worldwide.
Pep Guardiola on the expensive World Cup ticket prices:
“Not so long ago, the World Cup was a celebration of the joy of football.
Everyone travelled across the world to watch their country.
But now, in the modern era, it has become so expensive…
Football is for the… pic.twitter.com/1sAUpQSVIB
— Football Tweet
(@Footballtweet) April 24, 2026
The numbers behind the backlash
The reaction comes after converging reports indicated extreme spikes in prices of tickets for the upcoming World Cup. Tickets for the final in the top category have reached around $10,990, while resale platforms have seen listings climb as high as $2.3 million.
Even the opening match in Mexico has been priced close to $3,000. In addition, basic travel costs have surged, with train fares around New York jumping to roughly $150 for routes that usually cost under $15.
These figures have fueled the criticism that attending the World Cup is becoming unrealistic for many regular fans.
Yet FIFA has defended the pricing model. President Gianni Infantino has pointed to unprecedented demand, with more than 150 million ticket requests submitted in just 15 days.
According to the FIFA leadership, the revenue generated is not just profit but part of a wider system used to fund football development across more than 150 countries.
Despite the controversy, the reality is that sales remain strong. FIFA says over five million tickets have already been sold with weeks still to go before the tournament begins.
The demand is there, but so is the frustration over who can actually afford to be part of it. Football can grow commercially, but if the people who built it can’t access it anymore, the sport risks losing something essential.
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