The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and the opening days delivered exactly what you’d expect from a tournament spread across three countries in the middle of June: massive crowds, brutal heat, and a few logistical headaches that no amount of planning could fully prevent.
Stadiums across the US, Canada, and Mexico filled up despite ticket prices that made some fans wince. Some high-demand match tickets reportedly sold for upwards of $800 to $1,100.
Full stadiums, full hospitals
At the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, the South Korea vs. Czech Republic match drew an official attendance of 44,985 in a venue that holds approximately 46,000. That’s roughly 98% capacity for a group-stage game.
FIFA attributed some visible empty seats to fans milling around in concourses rather than sitting in their assigned spots.
