Some English football fans are boycotting the 2026 World Cup in the United States, refusing to attend due to expensive ticket prices and high overall costs.
On 11 May 2026 GMT+7, tens of thousands of English fans decided to cancel their plans to attend the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., opting instead to watch matches at entertainment venues in Spain, such as Magaluf, because of the exorbitant ticket prices and costly services in the U.S.
Data shows that some seats for the final match on FIFA's resale website were listed at an inflated price of up to £8.5 million. Even official tickets have tripled in price, reaching £24,000. Previously, U.S. President Donald Trump even stated he would not pay $1,000 to buy a ticket.
International backlash is severely damaging the U.S. as host. The American Hotel & Lodging Association reports that nearly 80% of hotels in host cities have occupancy rates below expectations. Additionally, FIFA has released up to 70% of reserved rooms, which may explain widespread booking cancellations.
Besides the high costs, the strict minimum drinking age law (21 years) in the U.S. is also deterring younger fans from attending the matches.
In the 2026 World Cup group stage, the England national team is placed in Group L along with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
The first match against Croatia is scheduled for 17 June at AT&T Stadium.
The second match against Ghana will take place on 23 June at Gillette Stadium.
The third match against Panama is set for 27 June at MetLife Stadium.