The upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is facing significant turbulence as a wave of international fans are reportedly cancelling their tickets. This trending development is primarily driven by escalating safety concerns within the U.S. following a recent fatal incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, coupled with ongoing discontent over the tournament's ticket pricing structure. The dual issues threaten to overshadow the historic 48-team tournament, prompting widespread discussion and calls for action from football's governing body.

Mounting Safety Concerns in FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Nation

A recent fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, which resulted in the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, has ignited a firestorm of fear and apprehension among prospective international attendees. Videos of the incident, widely circulated online, have led many overseas fans to perceive the U.S. as an "unpredictable" and unsafe environment for a global celebration. Reports indicate that over 10,000 tickets have been cancelled by overseas fans, with supporters from countries like England, Brazil, and South Africa expressing that their excitement has turned into fear. This sentiment was underscored by Lebanese diplomat Mohamad Safa, who publicly announced the cancellation of his World Cup tickets, citing fears of arbitrary detention under aggressive U.S. immigration policies. The incident has fueled broader unease about how visitors might be treated by immigration authorities, leading to a significant dip in overseas bookings for travel and accommodation. Who Was Renee Good? ICE Agent Shoots and Kills Woman During Crackdown in Minneapolis (Watch Video).

Should fans boycott the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

Fans Claim over 16,800 2026 FIFA World Cup Tickets are Being Cancelled so Far

The Battle Over FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Affordability

Beyond safety, the cost of attending the World Cup has been a persistent point of contention. FIFA initially faced severe criticism for what many fan groups, including Football Supporters Europe (FSE), described as "extortionate" ticket prices. The cheapest tickets for the final, for instance, were initially priced upwards of £3000 (over $4000 USD), leading to accusations of a "monumental betrayal" of loyal fans. In response to this global backlash, FIFA announced a reduction in prices for a limited number of "Supporter Entry Tier" tickets, now set at $60 for every match, including the final. However, this concession has been met with scepticism, as critics point out that these discounted tickets represent only a small fraction (approximately 1.6%) of the total allocation, with only a few hundred available per match. Many fans still find the vast majority of tickets prohibitively expensive, raising concerns that the tournament will be inaccessible to average supporters.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Prices are a Betrayal to the Most Dedicated Fans

FIFA World Cup 2026 High Ticket Prices

FIFA has Discounted Some World Cup 2026 Tickets Following Global Fan Backlash

FIFA's Response

The growing unrest and calls for boycotts are casting a shadow over the economic prospects of the 2026 World Cup, which was expected to generate billions for the U.S. economy through tourism, hospitality, and merchandise. The shift in fan sentiment has reportedly slowed hotel bookings and pushed ticket resale prices down. In light of the mounting protests and backlash, FIFA has scheduled an emergency meeting to address the situation, with discussions expected to focus on ticket cancellations, fan safety worries, and reputational issues. Despite the escalating concerns, FIFA has yet to issue a direct public statement addressing the specific safety fears raised by the Minneapolis incident, a silence that has caused further outrage on social media.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, the organisers face the complex challenge of reassuring international fans about their safety and ensuring the tournament remains accessible. The current trend of ticket cancellations highlights a critical need for FIFA and the host nations to proactively address both security concerns and affordability, striving to uphold the inclusive and celebratory spirit that defines the world's most prestigious football event.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 08:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).