A Kano-based sports analyst, Abdulkarim Tsoho, has warned that the rising cost of attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup could strip the tournament of its emotional appeal, as more football supporters say they can no longer afford to watch the competition live.
Tsoho, speaking in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST said the World Cup has always been built around ordinary fans, but the current ticket pricing and travel costs risk turning the global football showpiece into an event only a few can attend.
“World Cup has always drawn its meaning from ordinary supporters, local fans who save for years, travelling fans who cross continents, families attending their first major match, students, workers, migrants, and diaspora communities who bring noise, colour, rituals and memory into the stadium,” he said.
“When prices rise beyond reasonable reach, the competition risks becoming less democratic and less intimate. The crowd may still be full, but the social mix changes. That means there will be less emotion attached to it,” he emphasized.
His remarks come amid growing criticism from supporters’ groups across Europe and beyond over what they describe as excessive ticket prices for the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Recently, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) filed a formal complaint against FIFA before the European Commission, accusing the football body of abusing its monopoly in fixing ticket prices without proper consultation with fans.
The complaint, backed by consumer rights group Euroconsumers, argued that although FIFA later released a small number of cheaper tickets priced at about 60 dollars, the seats were extremely limited and difficult to obtain, making the offer meaningless for most supporters.
“FIFA point to their unconfirmed sales figures as validation of their unfair ticket practices, while the reality is they leave loyal fans with no other choice — pay up or lose out,” he said.
Nigerian fans already backing out
For many Nigerian supporters, the cost of attending the tournament is already beyond reach, even before ticket sales fully open.
Speaking to DAILY POST, a Kano-based football fan, Ahmad Bello, said he had planned for years to attend a World Cup but has now abandoned the idea because of the expenses.