Kano-based sports analyst Abdulkarim Tsoho has warned that escalating costs for attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup risk stripping the tournament of its emotional appeal, as many football fans may no longer afford to watch matches live.
Speaking exclusively to NEWSMEN, Tsoho noted that the World Cup has traditionally thrived on the presence of ordinary supporters, including families, students, workers, and diaspora communities, whose energy and rituals create the unique atmosphere of the event.
“When prices rise beyond reasonable reach, the competition risks becoming less democratic and less intimate. The crowd may still be full, but the social mix changes. That means there will be less emotion attached to it,” he emphasized.
His remarks come amid growing criticism from supporters’ groups across Europe and beyond, who describe ticket prices for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as excessive. Recently, Football Supporters Europe (FSE), backed by consumer rights group Euroconsumers, filed a formal complaint against FIFA before the European Commission, accusing the football body of abusing its monopoly in fixing ticket prices without proper fan consultation.
Although FIFA later released a limited number of cheaper tickets priced at about $60, Tsoho and supporters argue that the seats are too scarce to make a meaningful difference. “FIFA point to their unconfirmed sales figures as validation of their unfair ticket practices, while the reality is they leave loyal fans with no other choice — pay up or lose out,” he said.
Many Nigerian fans have already reconsidered attending. Ahmad Bello, who had planned for years to attend, said the combined costs of tickets, flights, and accommodation made it unaffordable. “I upgraded my TV to 75 inches instead so I can enjoy the games from home,” he explained.
Others, including Shehu Usman Salihu and Faisal Billa, expressed similar concerns, noting that watching the tournament with friends locally has become a more realistic and enjoyable alternative to travelling abroad.
Tsoho highlighted that the challenge extends beyond ticket prices, warning that travel between three host countries and associated costs for visas, accommodation, and local transport will further limit access for fans from Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
“Financially, FIFA may do very well, but culturally the World Cup risks becoming a luxury spectacle,” he said. “Football calls itself universal, but universality also means ordinary people must be able to enter the stadium. A World Cup without ordinary fans may still look big on television, but it may feel less authentic.”
