“Nothing will be like Qatar again”. The melancholy phrase is repeated in every post and every conversation with someone who was lucky enough to travel to Doha three years ago. Hosting a World Cup in a single city for the first time was unprecedentedpartly due to the proximity of the stadiums, but also because of the costs involved in continuing the path to becoming the third star of the Argentine national team it became cheaper. Now, 178 days before the ball rolls for the 2026 edition in Mexico, Canada and the United States, the panorama is completely different: Although Argentine fans remain in the top five in terms of the number of ticket requests, the cost of accompanying the Scaloneta increased fivefold.
This weekend, FIFA released the latest update on ticket sales entering and reaching the third phase – the random selection draw the five million inquiries in the first 24 hours via the official website. There appear, logically after the three host countries – one after the other – Colombiawith 367,376 orders; England (140,291), Germany (138,246), Brazil (101,576) and Argentina (101,056). Those who complete the top ten are Ecuador (92,022), Scotland (78,880), France (64,394), Australia (52.189) and Spain (49,002).
“Scotland’s presence in the top ten reflects fans’ enthusiasm to see the team back on the world stage for the first time in 28 years, reinforcing the growing expectation that football will unite the world in North America within six months,” said FIFA, which is keeping this sales period open until next Tuesday, January 13th at 1pm. (Argentine time).
During this phase, fans can select the specific game, ticket category and number of tickets they would like to purchase, although always with certain restrictions. Tickets will also be available via the resale/exchange market on the FIFA website starting this Monday, December 15, 2025.
According to official information to which he had access Clarionthe duel Colombia vs Portugal (Miami, June 27) is the most searched during this period, followed by Brazil vs. Morocco (New Jersey, June 13), Mexico vs. Republic of Korea (Guadalajara, June 18), Ecuador vs. Germany (New Jersey, June 25) and Scotland vs. Brazil (Miami, June 24).
But For Argentinians there is an important fact which triggered his anger, which was expressed in various posts on social networks, and is the value of these tickets. Of course, those who had the opportunity to accompany the Scaloneta in Qatar 2022 compare and long to return to those times.
From the comparison table it appears that if one wants to follow the entire campaign of the Argentine national team in Lionel Messi’s sixth and final World Cup, the cost increases fivefold compared to Qatar 2022 for the 2026 edition, the first edition with 48 countries and three organizers, which also increases the demand mechanism that determines ticket prices. In the lowest of the three possible categories and without taking into account flights or accommodation at the various venues, watching the eight Albiceleste games is chargeable $6,960. He played seven games in Qatar $1,467.
When broken down between the first round and the direct elimination phase, the value logically increases. The first three games against Algeria, Austria And Jordan For Group J (the debut in Kansas and subsequent ones in Dallas) they would cost $265 in Category 3, $500 in Number 2 and $700 in Category 1, respectively.
Should we continue? The 16th, an instance that is incorporated into the regulations due to the increase in participants, It could be in Miami if Argentina comes first in its regionand in front of the second of group H (Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde) and the duel of Round of 16 (in Atlanta) they would cost almost the same ($270 each for Category 3).
In Quarterfinalson July 11 and where there could be a historic duel between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal arrives in Kansas again, it would cost around twice as much $535. The Semifinals in Atlanta (in the logic that is not always fulfilled against England) it would cost $905 cheapestwhile the grand finale in New Jersey on July 19th has the exorbitant number of $4,185 for Category 3.
It was said that the prices were not the same for everyone. For example, the cheapest ticket is available for the USA’s debut against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles $1,120 and at the other end comes Haiti vs. Morocco on June 24 in Atlanta 180 dollars.
“There is always a better world, but it is more expensive. If your wallet can take it, there is the hospitality section, which, in addition to guaranteeing a ticket, also offers an all-you-can-eat-and-drink experience before and after the game. Argentina games, for example, cost around $2,000 per game.”explained the members of the “Argentinian band”which became the community that accompanies the Albiceleste national team in each of their games from the third star.
And yes, nothing will be like Qatar again…
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