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Shwetha Surendran
Multiple Authors
As the World Cup approaches in June, international fans are voicing significant concerns regarding personal safety, visa issues, ticket prices, and U.S. government policies, according to a new survey.
Conducted by the U.S. Travel Association, the survey reflects anxieties shared by fans just weeks ahead of the tournament’s kick-off on June 11, highlighting challenges such as rising ticket costs, funding dilemmas faced by host cities, and logistical disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East. Notably, Iran has qualified for the World Cup, with all its group-stage matches slated to happen in the United States.
“Success is not guaranteed,” the U.S. Travel Association remarked, sharing insights from over 9,500 respondents across ten nations. “Issues surrounding safety, delays in visa processing, and fluctuating U.S. policies could hinder international arrivals and limit the event’s potential.”
While World Cup organizers remain hopeful of significant international attendance, buoyed by ticket purchases from fans in over 200 countries, there is scant data on flight or hotel bookings to substantiate claims of high turnout.
Reports indicate that FIFA has canceled thousands of hotel bookings across all three host nations— the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Forbes notes that hotels in key locations are experiencing a lack of expected demand.
While the survey did not provide data on bookings, it estimated expected spending from fans. Representing various tourism-related sectors, including tourism boards, destinations, airlines, and hotels, the association is advocating for Congress to continue federal funding for Brand USA, which supports the domestic travel industry.
ESPN has requested access to the survey’s underlying data but has not yet received it.
The survey found that nearly 25% of respondents mentioned visas and border processing as significant factors in their decision to travel. The ten markets surveyed consisted of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and travelers who recently visited the United States. Interestingly, international fans attending the World Cup are generally younger than typical leisure travelers and spend 67% more than other foreign visitors on vacation, according to the findings.
Respondents indicated they expect to spend approximately $5,048 per person, while U.S. soccer fans planning to travel for games are projected to spend an average of $4,794.
FIFA has faced backlash over its pricing structure for tickets this tournament, which adjusts based on demand, leaving fans shocked by exorbitant prices. Additional costs have compounded the frustrations.
Recently, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announced that round-trip tickets to Gillette Stadium, soon to be referred to as Boston Stadium for the tournament, would be limited and priced at $80. This announcement raised concerns among supporter groups from England and Scotland, both of whom will be playing at the venue.
Paul Goodwin, co-founder of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, expressed his anxieties about fans potentially overextending their finances, stating, “There will be a lot of second mortgages and costs being put on credit cards. It’s a worry that some might actually overextend themselves. It’s yet another huge disappointment.”
In a report released in February 2025, the U.S. Travel Association warned that the air travel system in the U.S. is inadequately prepared for the millions of visitors expected for both the World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, citing aging infrastructure, prolonged visa processing times, and outdated security technology as major barriers to accommodating visitors.