World Cup ’94 vs World Cup ’26
The second World Cup on these shores is getting closer by the day. As a passionate fan, I should be getting excited. Unfortunately, I am not. Why? It boils down to two people; their presence and ego ruin the buildup to what should be a grand celebration of the sport’s growth in the country. We received a sour taste of what we might expect in last summer’s Club World Cup.
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Having had my first soccer experience in the USA in 1978, I’ve since witnessed its continual growth as the sport has become ingrained in the country’s consciousness. The United States was a country that, for so long, appeared to resist the sport. Similarly, the rest of the world could not accept the USA as a soccer country. When FIFA took the 1986 World Cup away from Colombia, the USA made a concerted effort to host the tournament but were overlooked in favour of Mexico, a traditional soccer nation.
The First Go-Round
FIFA’s perspective changed when soccer became the biggest draw at the gate in the 1984 Olympics. Games were played all over the country before the final returned to the West Coast and LA. I well recall the excitement in 1988 when the United States was awarded the 1994 tournament. However, the enthusiasm for an American World Cup was not universally celebrated, as many pointed out that the only professional soccer league in the USA at the time was indoor.
In the early nineties, as we drew near to the Cup, I attended meetings in Boston as the local soccer community sought to ensure that the city would be a part of the festivities. We assembled in the centre of Boston on the day the organisers announced the stadiums for the tournament. We were on the edge of our seats before, as the very last pick, the Foxborough Stadium in Boston, was announced. The joy and relief we all felt that day!
International teams visited Boston as the buildup gathered momentum. Ireland came and stayed for two successive summers. They trained at Tufts University, where I was coaching at the time. I ran a coaching clinic for local kids with Ireland manager Jackie Charlton, England’s centre-half in the 1966 World Cup-winning team. Italy, Colombia, and a few others followed suit. Eventually, England came and was conquered as Alexei Lalas rose like a salmon at the near post to head one home.
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The big day finally arrived as Argentina played Greece at the Foxborough Stadium. It was the day when a crazed Diego Maradona stuck his face in the television camera after scoring in a 4-0 win. My fondest memory of the day was sitting in the crowd, recognising so many faces from all over the country who had been my colleagues on the soccer field. It was a reward for all the hard work we had put in over the years, spreading the gospel of “The Beautiful Game.” The 1994 World Cup was the best attended ever and a great success. Logically, in 2026, it should be even more, considering the strides the sport has made in the decades since.
1994 left a great legacy. We have an established professional league, women’s soccer has risen to great prominence, and the College and youth versions of the game have expanded significantly, becoming unrecognisable compared to what they used to be pre-94. In Boston, Channel 25, which will show the games, regularly gives 2026 a plug, as do NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports, “Soccer America” magazine and media organisations like “Men in Blazers”. Despite this, I wonder whether others like me are struggling to replicate the excitement we had before ’94?
A Follow-Up Leaving A Lot To Be Desired
As a fan, I find it disheartening that I may not be able to attend any games next year. The ticket process and pricing for the World Cup ’26 are exorbitant. Back in ’94, I purchased a six-ticket game package for two at a reasonable price. The cheapest seat at a first-round match was $25, and the best seat at the final was $475. The average ticket price was $58. However, the current packages for ’26 are in the thousands of dollars range, making it unaffordable for many true fans.
Ticket pricing for 2026 is a cause for frustration. Punters are expected to fork out a considerable amount of money just for the right to possibly obtain tickets. To call it a ‘money grab’ would be an understatement. Please watch this video (37:57) and explain it to me rationally:
It’s disappointing that affordable $60 tickets for World Cup ’26 are few and far between. The majority are in the hundreds of dollars per game, again making it inaccessible for many. The focus on hospitality packages, which I have no interest in, further alienates fans like me who simply want to enjoy the game without breaking the bank.
It is to be expected that prices rise as the tournament enters the latter stages. However, what lies in store is way beyond $475 for the best seats. For next year’s final, should you have the misfortune of getting a ticket, you will need to pay between $2,790 and $6,370. Who is behind all of this? The greed of FIFA President Gianni Infantino appears to know no bounds. His arrogance is not alone.
A Much Less Pretty Orange Crush
Once upon a time in football, the ‘Oranje’ was a specific reference to the Dutch football masters, such as Cruyff, Bergkamp, Van Basten & Co. Next summer, the reference may take on a different connotation. We had a preview at the Club World Cup. The “Stars and Stripes” should only be played at the games featuring the US National Team! And we certainly don’t want a similar debacle surrounding the trophy presentation. The World Cup shouldn’t be conducted to appease the country’s leadership. I could go on, but I’m fearing the worst.
There is, of course, the current political situation in the USA. Last summer, my Chilean girlfriend was denied access to the country. When we inquired about the reason, the response was “random”. Will this be a problem for fans worldwide who wish to attend games? Furthermore, Boston has recently been identified as a potentially “dangerous” city by the man. The leader of the free world now threatens to relocate games.
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It may be bluster, but I was mortified watching a discussion on Talksport on the matter. The pundits were actually taking the issue seriously. Boston is not dangerous; it is pure politics! One pundit said he lived in Boston, and there are parts of the city where you would never reveal that you are English for fear of your safety. I have lived here since 1990 and have yet to encounter anything remotely like this.
Ultimately, putting all these pieces together, you may get a sense of why I have more apprehension than excitement regarding the 2026 World Cup. I hope that the spirit of 1994 will somehow resurface, and we can enjoy a World Cup that is focused on the game more than surrounding politics and events. We don’t need half-baked halftime shows and other distractions that draw attention away from the sport. We can only hope. I was there in ’94. I was even there in ’66!! Whether I’ll be there in ’26, at this time, appears to be very much in doubt.
YNWA