Kasey Keller, a former USMNT goalkeeper, declined to buy tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to high prices. Many fans are frustrated as ticket sales remain sluggish ahead of the tournament.
Key points
Kasey Keller criticized FIFA for high ticket prices
He declined to purchase tickets for the World Cup
Thousands of tickets remain unsold for the USMNT opener
Fans are frustrated with the pricing structure
The World Cup is 43 days away
Kasey KellerUSMNTParaguayFIFA World Cup 2026
Kasey Keller celebrates a draw with U.S. Men's National Team fans
U.S. Men's National Team icon Kasey Keller has called out FIFA for the high prices of tickets for the upcoming World Cup -Credit:Wade Jackson/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
(Wade Jackson/Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former U.S. Men's National Team goalkeeper Kasey Keller has revealed he passed on the opportunity to purchase tickets for the opening game of the FIFA World Cup due to the "outrageous" prices.
The 2026 World Cup is just 43 days away, yet games have still to sell out as extortionate prices have driven fans away. The USMNT's home opener against Paraguay still has thousands of tickets available, and the overall pricing structure has drawn fierce criticism from furious soccer fans.
Travel costs have also surged in several host cities, with a round-trip train ride to MetLife Stadium, where the World Cup final will be staged, jumping from $12.90 to $150. Keller received an email from U.S. Soccer regarding tickets, but upon seeing the cost, opted against attending.
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Kasey Keller playing for the U.S. Men's National Team
Keller made 102 appearances for the USMNT -Credit:Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images
Speaking with Mirror U.S. Sports via Casino Guru, the USMNT legend was questioned about World Cup ticket prices and delivered a candid response.
"It is frustrating, no question about it. And I think there will be opportunities later for some chances to get cheaper tickets," Keller said. "But I agree. It leaves a little bit of an interesting taste in your mouth, right?
"That you're just like, 'Oh, that's kind of a shame.' And then look, I think Americans are used to it because I mean, obviously, if anybody tried to go to a Taylor Swift concert, they realized that it wasn't exactly the cheapest thing to do.
"As a Seahawks fan, I was offered a ticket at face value for the Super Bowl. And I was just like, 'Yeah, no, I'm not paying that.' So, yeah, it's not uncommon. It's frustrating, of course.
"But then I just hope that there are some opportunities later to make sure the stadiums are full, that fans can find an opportunity. Because it would be a big miss, right? I mean, if you have all these fans that don't get the opportunity to go just because the tickets are that outrageous."
Keller was then questioned about the USMNT opener against Paraguay, after reports emerged that FIFA was having difficulty selling tickets. "I had gotten an email from U.S. Soccer kind of talking about that and wondering if you wanted to buy tickets or whatever else as a player," Keller revealed.
"And I'll be honest with you, I got the prices and went, 'Yeah, nope.' Now, if I get an email in a month that says those prices are a third of what I was quoted, then, maybe, you know, my kids or friends or whoever, I might grab some for some people.
"But yeah, right now, I didn't even call anybody because I knew the prices were... There's a reason why they haven't sold because they're overpriced.
"I was talking about the Super Bowl. I wasn't talking about the first game of the season. And that's kind of what we're talking about here, right?
"We're talking about the opening game against Paraguay, and you're pricing it like everybody's going to the World Cup final. And the fans have shown that, 'Nope, we're not willing to pay that for that match.'"
