Going to North America '26: tickets, accommodations, etc. (non-politics)

FIFA can place the top seeds in ceertain groups. It was like that in 1994. They have stopped doing this. There is no reason to fix it when they can do it openly.

As they did in 2022 they have allowed themselves the option to put the bigger teams in the bigger stadiums. Some are very obvious eg Group L on June 17th. If Argentina v Italy and Senegal v Uzbekistan guess which game is going to Toronto and which to Dallas. Group J a day earlier is tougher to call with Kansas City and San Francisco the options.

I wouldn't bank on Argentina being anywhere at this stage. I think it will be a fair draw.

 

And to make sure Messi plays only in the air-conditioned stadiums.

 

I doubt group H because 1H then goes to the West Coast. Group C fits the story perfect.
Group stage - NY, Philly and Miami
Elimination - Houston, NY, Miami, ATL, NY

 

Exactly. What does FIFA gain by putting Argentina in its preferred group and cities?

 

The biggest loss for fifa in groups was mexico vs argentina in qatar. their 2 most prized money makers went at it too early. Mexico got knocked out and fifa lost tons of money. Group C keeps Argentina away from Mexico and hosts until quarters.

 

And yet it happened, why I don't think FIFA messes with draws. The backlash if that got out would be massive. Now if they placed them pre-draw, thats another thing but they probably would have announced that prior to any ticket sales.

 

it'll be announced prior to the draw.

 

do you have evidence or is this just your prediction?

 

nope. just a guess. I think that's how the conversation started. we're guessing here. so please dont go out and buy stuff.

 

There's a ton of evidence of FIFA messing with groups. There's the whole story of the Hot and cold balls so the people picking them up knew which ball to choose

 

Talking about Mexico advancing far into the tournament is kind of crazy, yet those unrealistic expectations happen every World Cup. Mexico have won a grand total of exactly 1 knockout game in the history of the World Cup. And that was at home in 1986. I know they’re at home again but their team is not one of their best yet people are thinking they’re going to double or triple their number of knockout wins over the last 100 years in just 1 WC? Unrealistic.

 

There does seem to be rather an obsession with Argentina on this site.

 

Just re-read my long post recapping 2022 for the first time. Brought back some great memories! Good to see some familiar names still here.

This World Cup edition I’m waiting until next June and will buy all my tickets in the 0-3 days before the matches, except for USA Supporter tickets.

Context: For Qatar 2022 (100+ tickets for ~15 friends), Russia 2018 (50+ tickets for 8 friends), and Brazil 2014 (15+tickets for 3 friends) I acquired 100% of match tickets in these current phases, many months in advance. But from many experiences across USA sporting events & concerts, I’m convinced buying late will be the better value for 90% of these matches. And even for the most in-demand matches, I suspect the premium will ultimately be closer to 10-20% instead of the 100-200% from prior tournaments, given the already high price. The flexibility, time saved, and ability to pick my exact seat is worth that premium.

 

It's not just this site...

 

pffft, if only. I haven't won the draw yet lol

 

FWIW, I also think FIFA will put their thumb on the scale for Argentina.

For example, I can't see them leaving open the possibility of Argentina going into Group K where the Knockout order is KC + Vancouver + KC.

Group C is a strong possibility.

I also wouldn't rule out Group H. In additional to the 2 Miami matches, keep in mind FIFA makes MUCH more money from TV than from ticket sales. Group C has matches the same days as the host countries, so I could see them/FOX wanting to put Argentina during prime time on non-host days. And I believe Fox Sports is based in LA, and Group H has that knockout path.

Regardless, will be fun to see what occurs in the team. My initial predictions:

• C & H get two popular teams like Argentina & Brazil
• K gets a less popular team like Belgium or Croatia
• England goes to I (or maybe E) - I think they'll want to keep them in the northeast for geographic reasons. Also given July 4, 2026 is a big 250-year anniversary of USA Independence from England, I think FIFA/FOX would love the storyline of them possibly playing in Philadelphia on that date, plus the prior game in Boston or New York

 

I don’t think FIFA cares at all what Fox Sports wants. And the big demand teams will sell out and max out resale prices no matter where they play. Brazil/Argentina don’t need to play in Miami to fill a stadium. If anything, FIFA is better off with Argentina in Vancouver and Belgium in Miami (for ticket sales and Argentina’s longer term fitness).

 

Re the transfer issue it has been pointed out to me that VST and TST transfers seem to work. As of now individual games don't. That is consistent with what i have seen. Not sure re others.

 

Is it necessarily a bad thing if Argentina ends up in KC? There's the conventional wisdom that KC is the least attractive destination, but Argentina will sell out anywhere, so FIFA could see it as advantageous to give KC a big-time team while other locations can draw good crowds with a wide variety of teams. Remember that KC is the 4th-largest stadium, 12,000 more seats than Miami. Does FIFA really want to give it all trash matchups?

(Note: Kansas City is one my favorite American cities. Very underrated.)

 

Didn’t Argentina end up playing all their games in Lusail for 2022?

 

No they had one at the container stadium.

 

Depends if they do a "computer generated" draw procedure. If they use this they can make it before hand and just tell everyone its random

 

I have been in the resale portal multiple times, looked at multiple games... I have never seen anything other than singles available (ie the ticket toggle only shows "0" or "1"). Am I doing something wrong?

 

And R16 at education city I think? or some other one

 

do you guys think the majority of r32 and r16 prices will drop closer to match day too?