2026 World Cup

I had this thought in the Euros that Portugal will have a wobble at some point where Ronaldo will play 2 or 3 games too many and there'll be a big hooplah when he finally gets dropped. It's a bit pie in the sky but the timing for this campaign could suit us.

The realistic hope is 1 point from the two games...stranger things have happened though!

Their results are wildly inconsistent. Especially when you consier the firepower available to them.

Ive had concerns about the World Cup in the US for a while now in regards to ticket prices. The last couple of years Man Utd have done preseason tours out here and the cheap seats are often $200 minimum. Concert tickets are regularly $300 and up, so Ive been wondering how the WC cup is going to work and if FIFA would be keeping a cap on prices.

I had a few pints last night with a mate who is working for World Cup ticket sales. They are already selling packages. You can get a 4 game package now for whatever country you want, the 3 group games and knockout if they get there. There is different pricing based on the country. We used Portugal as an example. The package includes hospitality in the FIFA tent at the grounds for 3 hours before each game, after which you will be escorted to your Premium seat close to pitch. Cost is $7,000 for Portugal games. These are not corporate packages either, they run much higher depending on what the need is.

Individual match tickets will go on sale after the draw, I wouldnt be surprised if we are looking at $500 per game

Trick is to wait until the last second when you can get cheap tickets. I've seen numerous sporting events and concerts in Los Angeles doing this. I saw the Rolling Stones for $30 last summer. Americans have money to burn and are all up for a big event, but there's no appetite for Cameroon vs. Australia or Ireland vs. Sweden. I wouldn't worry too much about ticket prices.

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Trick is to wait until the last second when you can get cheap tickets. I've seen numerous sporting events and concerts in Los Angeles doing this. I saw the Rolling Stones for $30 last summer. Americans have money to burn and are all up for a big event, but there's no appetite for Cameroon vs. Australia or Ireland vs. Sweden. I wouldn't worry too much about ticket prices.

Ive tried that trick a few times with Lakers tickets and it never works. The Rolling Stones worked because it was in Rose Bowl and no one wanted to go

If they are able to charge those prices for crap preseason friendlies then I wouldnt be as confident as you that prices will be lower

There's over 100 matches to be played, most of them in a country that is still lukewarm at best towards the sport. I'm sure there will be group games and probably last 32 games that tickets will be available for at a reasonable price as long as your not too picky about what teams are playing. Uzbekistan v Panama anyone?

As for Ireland games...well realistically it will be a massive shock if that becomes an issue.

Originally Posted by Eirambler

There's over 100 matches to be played, most of them in a country that is still lukewarm at best towards the sport. I'm sure there will be group games and probably last 32 games that tickets will be available for at a reasonable price as long as your not too picky about what teams are playing. Uzbekistan v Panama anyone?

Dunno whether it's relevant or not, but the EPL held a "Premier League Summer Series" in the USA in 2023, featuring matches between Chelsea, Fulham, Brighton, Newcastle, Brentford and A.Villa.
Chelsea games drew decent crowds, but the other teams' games were very poorly attended.
The planned 2024 Series was cancelled, citing "scheduling difficulties" (yeah, right), though they're going ahead with it again this summer, featuring just 4 clubs, Man U, Everton, Bournemouth, WHU:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cedl62d19n2o

Anyhow, Ticketmaster has prices starting from $76 for the MetLife Stadium NJ, from $65 for Soldiers Field Chicago and from $45 for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta:
https://www.premierleague.com/summerseries
Obv the "from" is important; otoh, some of those are for double headers, incl Man U.

Not sure what this says for 2026. Clearly the World Cup has an appeal which glorified pre-season summer friendlies cannot. That said, English club soccer must be higher profile in USA than internationals featuring many countries from large parts of Asia, Africa and Central America etc.

I think the number of travelling fans which countries take with them could have a major bearing on ticket prices and availability - I imagine a number of European countries could take huge crowds, plus Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Ive tried that trick a few times with Lakers tickets and it never works. The Rolling Stones worked because it was in Rose Bowl and no one wanted to go

If they are able to charge those prices for crap preseason friendlies then I wouldnt be as confident as you that prices will be lower

It was at SoFi, brilliant stadium if you've never been.

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

It was at SoFi, brilliant stadium if you've never been.

Was it? I was sure I didnt go to the Stones because I thought in was in Rose Bowl, my own memory failing me now. SoFi is an unbelievable venue, have been to a couple of gigs there

Yeah, they played twice I think. I saw them the night Trump got shot.

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Yeah, they played twice I think. I saw them the night Trump got shot.

Jeez my memory is slipping, I didnt go cos I was out of the country that night and not because it was Rose Bowl

Back to the World Cup though, people will be blown away by SoFi when they see it. Man Uniteds new stadium that they have planned has taken some inspiration from it apparently, but will be a lot cheaper to build at $2 Billion. Sofi cost $6 Billion and looks like a spaceship!

I was watching Canada v USA at the SoFi last Sunday after the ireland game and we all commented on what a beautiful stadium it is. And that was just on the TV. I’d say it’s even more exceptional in the flesh.

Hi guys

RE: Portugal v ROI ( Oct 11th)

when will we know if they game is defo in Lisbon or not?

Thanks

We're a long way off this having much relevance to us, but Norway are beating Italy 3-0 at half time in a qualifier and with Norway having already won "away" in Israel a heavy Italy loss tonight probably sees them heading towards the playoffs if they're going to make the World Cup. Our route to a finals is difficult enough without having the likes of Italy ending up in the playoffs.

Could Italy possibly miss a third World Cup in a row?

Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the first time yesterday

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Could Italy possibly miss a third World Cup in a row?

Uzbekistan and Jordan qualified for the first time yesterday

The difference in standards required to qualify between UEFA and some of the other confederation's is bordering on ridiculous since the move to 48 teams. 16 additional teams and UEFA only got three of the new places.

Not a slight on Uzbekistan who are something of a coming football nation but there will be other teams who will honestly devalue the tournament by being there.

Hungary 0-2 Sweden tonight has to be encouraging for us, with usual caveats on June friendlies

Portugal won in Germany on Thursday and play Spain in the Nations League final on Sunday.

Armenia were 2-1 up in Kosovo after an hour but ended up losing 5-2. Two of those goals came in injury time but still not a great result.

For Portugal we have to hope that the inevitable implosion of Ronaldo happens during our campaign. Unfortunately doesn't look likely at this point but we can hope.

Palestine concede a 97th minute penalty against ten-man Oman to be knocked out. Oman instead to through to the next round, where six countries compete for two spots and a playoff

Not the worst thing to have happened Palestine in the last 24 hours, but would have been some story for them to reach Trump's World Cup

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Not the worst thing to have happened Palestine in the last 24 hours, but would have been some story for them to reach Trump's World Cup

That would have been very, very funny.

(As well as a welcome boost for the people, of course)