Mexico subdued World Cup atmosphere linked to exorbitant ticket prices

Sky-high ticket prices and widespread fatigue of public purse funding on infrastructure are to blame, according to local media practitioners that have spoken to SABC Sport.  

Driving from the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City to Pachuca, where Bafana Bafana are based, this lack of hype and visibility is glaring, with TV Azteca reporter Carlos Salgado pointing to ticket prices as the main issue. 

"Yes, it's true, we have to say it – I don't know if it has something to do with the fact that we're in Pachuca right now, which is not really like Mexico City," said Salgado.

"We're all – journalists and fans in general – are expecting something bigger, and we're not talking about the World Cup itself but the environment, we were expecting something different.

"And, to be very honest, I think what makes people get a little colder towards the World Cup is the high prices for the tickets – that has made a big difference here because there are people who say, 'I would like to go to the World Cup.'

"But we know every four years there are a lot of people who cannot afford or cannot be at the match but still they have that illusion, and in this case the illusion was not even there because people were like, 'It's really, really expensive.'

"So I think, like a year ago when tickets started going on sale, a lot of people were like, 'Hmmm,' so I think that might be something [contributing towards the atmosphere]."

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Comparing the prices between the opening game in Qatar in 2022 to the 2026 tournament, the cheapest ticket (Category 4) in 2022 was $55 (R905) compared to Thursday’s opening game requiring at least $560 (R9 220). 

Meanwhile, top-tier tickets (Category 1) in Qatar were priced at $618 (R10¯175) but in Mexico it’s $2 718 (R44¯749), and Salgado says these prices are ridiculous, especially for a normal, local football fan. 

"It's ridiculous how expensive they are, I think it's really making a difference in Mexico, but still I can assure you from Thursday onward it's going to be a party and you will feel the environment," he defended.

"And all of that that you've heard in Mexico, starting from Thursday [will be forgotten], but it's true that it should be from now and I think a couple of months ago, yes [there was very little excitement]."