Even Trump, an enthusiastic supporter of both the World Cup and Fifa president Gianni Infantino, has said he “wouldn’t pay it either” when asked about the prices. Tickets for sale for the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium were officially offered at up to $32,970 (£24,540), while resale tickets have been listed for more than $2m.
“So I think it’s a bunch of things, all combined into one,” Mathis said. “But it is just so unfortunate, and I am hoping that in the next four weeks, things can be turned around.”
Mathis urged Fifa to drop the ticket prices, as well as calling for the US government to expedite visa applications for fans hoping to attend.
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), which represents tens of thousands of clients from major hotel chains to independent B&Bs, found eight in 10 hotels in host cities are seeing lower demand than expected, warning the tournament has not translated into strong bookings.
In an AHLA survey, many described the tournament as a “non-event” while a majority said bookings are tracking below levels seen in a typical summer.
AHLA president and chief executive Rosanna Maietta told the BBC the war in Iran was partly to blame. But she said some fans may be waiting for certainty over where their team will be playing before booking accommodation.
By contrast, Airbnb has said the World Cup is to be “the biggest hosting event” in its history.
Hamish Husband is going to the World Cup to see Scotland compete
Hamish Husband, from the Association of Tartan Army Clubs, will spend as much as £10,000 travelling to the US to follow Scotland’s progress in the tournament. He and his brother are staying in hotels throughout the competition, and the final bill will depend on how far Scotland go.
He said the rare Scottish appearance at the World Cup has meant many fans will travel, despite cost concerns, the main one being “the outrageous ticket pricing Fifa has enforced on fans”.
“There is no fairness in football anymore, but $1,000 for Scotland v Haiti tickets – that is scandalous,” he told the BBC.
READ MORE ON THE NEXT PAGE…
