Slow Ticket Sales, Low Enthusiasm For USMNT Before The World Cup

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 22: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump hold a large World Cup ticket replica in the Oval Office as Vice President JD Vance (3rd-L) and Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem look on August 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place at The Kennedy Center. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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World Cup ticket prices have gone through the roof

The Athletic reported that when tickets originally went on sale in October, the U.S.’s June 12 opener was the third most expensive ticket of the entire tournament, trailing only one semifinal and the final. It also said that Category 1 and 2 tickets, which cost $2,730 and $1,940, respectively, are still for sale.

Exorbitant ticket prices have turned off many long-time soccer supporters, who don’t want to attend any matches in many markets because they are unaffordable. Many fans have told this writer that if they were going to attend a World Cup game, they would rather watch another team than the USMNT. This isn't a scientific survey by any means, but it is a damning assessment.

MORE FROM FORBESWhat Fans Are Paying To Attend The 2026 World CupBy Michael Lewis

CARSON, CA - JANUARY 28: Paul Arriola #7 of the United States turns and moves with the ball during a game between Colombia and USMNT at Dignity Health Sports Park on January 28, 2023 in Carson, California. (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

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Los Angeles Area Hasn’t Been Receptive To The USMNT

The USMNT traditionally has been a hard sell when playing on its own soil, especially in the Los Angeles vicinity. In fact, the U.S. has avoided playing internationals - friendly or competition in the area because of a sizable Latino population that would root for their team.

The last time the Americans performed in LA was more than three years ago, a scoreless draw with Colombia in Carson, Calif. on Jan. 28, 2023.

When the USMNT needs to play Mexico in World Cup qualifying, it has chosen Columbus or Cincinnati, Ohio since 2001. The Americans have posted a 5-1-0 record in those games, with all five victories as the famous dos a cero result.

There are, however, other areas of the country while the U.S. struggles.

Take, for example, the U.S.'s 2-0 loss to the Korea Republic in an international friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. on Sept. 7. A huge amount of the 25,600-capacity crowd cheered for the visiting side.

“It was like a home match,” South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said through an interpreter after the match, according to The Athletic.

CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during a game between Mexico and USMNT at TQL Stadium on November 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

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USMNT Struggles Against The World’s Best, Outside Of Concacaf

While it has done well in Concacaf competitions, recent USMNT squads have not acquitted themselves well in competitions that really count - such as the World Cup and Copa America. Despite being the hosts, U.S. was eliminated in the group stage of Copa America in 2024, which resulted in the firing of head coach Gregg Berhalter.

The Americans have captured seven Concacaf Gold Cups, last emerging with a 1-0 triumph over archrival Mexico, in 2021.

They also won the first three Concacaf Nations League crowns in 2021, 2023 and 2024. In the most recent competition, however, in 2025, the team failed miserably, losing to Panama in the semifinals and Canada in the third-place match.

In its two most recent international matches, the U.S. was drubbed by Belgium, 5-2, on March 28, and then was blanked by Portugal three days later on March 31.

Further reading on Forbes:

World Cup Uncertainty Grows—Here’s Why The Promised Tourism Boon Is Under Threat (Forbes)

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 03: Tim Ream of United States looks dejected after their sides' elimination from the tournament during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USA at Khalifa International Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

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Lack Of World Cup Success Hasn’t Helped The USA

The team has enjoyed middling success in the World Cup, the ultimate barometer for every national team.

Since breaking a 40-year drought in 1990, the U.S. has advanced out of the group stage five out of eight appearances (1994, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2022). It has reached the quarterfinals in the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan. Interestingly, the team has failed to reach the knockout in four European appearances (1934, 1990, 1998 and 2006).

The only time the Americans went very deep in the tournament was in the inaugural World Cup, almost a century ago, when they reached the semifinals in what was a 13-team tournament and by invitation.

It should be noted the U.S. has qualified for the knockout round in its most recent World Cup appearances (2010, 2014, 2022) but was eliminated in the Round of 16 each time.

As we get closer to the cup's kickoff, it will be interesting to see if interest in the three U.S. group stage matches pick up or if ticket prices drop on FIFA's dynamic pricing scale.

If the USMNT can’t fill SoFi Stadium for its World Cup opener, it will be embarrassing for FIFA and the home side.

Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter's perspective, will be published this spring.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com