Man paid $1,400 for World Cup tickets—then FIFA killed the dream

 The 2026 FIFA World Cup—set to span the United States, Canada and Mexico—has already been hit by mounting concerns over ticket prices, travel costs and visa access, and one international fan has shared how he abandoned his plans to attend despite already securing tickets. 

Izzroy Isahak, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, told Newsweek he had already spent nearly $1,400 on three match tickets before explaining what had “killed the dream.”

“I purchased three category 2 tickets. In total, I spent approximately $1,395,” he said. But after researching the full cost of travel, the trip no longer felt viable.

“After looking into flights, accommodation, local transportation and other travel expenses, I realized the overall cost would be significantly higher than I had initially expected,” he said. Isahak even compared the price of a previous tournament he attended, and said: “During the Qatar World Cup category 2 tickets were below $200.”

Isahak said he ultimately chose to exchange the tickets through FIFA’s official resale platform, where fans can return unwanted tickets to be resold, confirming that all three had been successfully processed.

World Cup Disappointment

Isahak’s decision highlights issues that have already surfaced around the 2026 tournament, including high ticket costs, accommodation prices in host cities and travel logistics across three countries.