The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off today in Mexico, but for many Jamaicans in the diaspora, the action will be on TV — not in the stadium.
Allan Cunningham, a Jamaican living in South Florida, told The Gleaner he'd have loved to attend matches near his home. But the cheapest ticket — US$550 for what he called "nosebleed seats" — made that impossible. "I don't have that kind of money to pay for such seats," he said. "I'm comfortable watching the games on television with friends and knocking back a few beers."
Cunningham isn't alone. The Gleaner spoke to nearly a dozen Jamaican diaspora fans in the lead-up to the tournament, and every single one said the same thing: ticket prices are too high.
Michael Williams said he's still looking for deals. "I'm planning to attend some matches but only if I can get good deals on tickets," he said. Carl Maxwell, a diehard Liverpool fan rooting for England, put it bluntly: "Watching it on TV gives me a better view than the seats that are cheaper."
Anthony Turner, who backs Brazil to win, questioned whether organisers even thought about ordinary fans. "Did they forget to take the ordinary fans into consideration when they set the prices?" he asked. Sunil Mitchell said the high cost wasn't the only issue — he believes political influence has drained the excitement from the tournament. "I'll watch the games on television," he said.
Michael Morgan has a unique perspective: he attended the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States. He'd hoped to go again this year, but called the prices "ridiculous" and "crazy." Morgan, who played Premier League football in Jamaica, also pointed to "all the nonsense" surrounding the games. "This isn't the spirit of the World Cup," he said. He's backing Brazil but thinks Spain has a strong chance.
Blaine Stoddart said the high prices turned him off entirely. "I won't waste my money like that," he told The Gleaner. Instead, he plans to use his money to support his community and help upgrade Hope Gardens. Ron Ingleton agreed: "The tickets are priced out of reach so I'll watch on television." He also said organisers didn't consider ordinary fans.
There'd been talk of a Jamaica Day event at the American Dream Mall near MetLife Stadium, where the final will be played. That idea came when Jamaica looked like it might qualify. But Jamaica didn't make the cut, and the high ticket prices have killed any buzz for diaspora fans who might have travelled.
For now, the fans have made their choice. They'll watch from home, with friends and cold beers, while the World Cup plays out in Mexican stadiums filled mostly with deeper pockets.