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Adam Crafton

@adamcrafton.bsky.social
16.5K followers 330 following 431 posts

✍️ I am a journalist at The Athletic 🏆 British Sports Writer of the Year 🇺🇸 Recently relocated to NYC

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Reposted by Adam Crafton
Pablo Torre @pablo.show · 09/10/2026
Diving into Manchester City, sham contracts, Abu Dhabi, and the fragility of our world order, with @adamcrafton.bsky.social @theathletic.com: youtu.be/IBBrmyEXlF8?...
youtu.be
Man City Charges, Explained: "Sham" Deals, Abu Dhabi & Possible Punishment | PTFO
YouTube video by PABLO TORRE FINDS OUT
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
I don’t think I said that the investment isn’t sportswashing. I said recognizing that there has been positives within that investment for a region doesn’t make you sportswashed.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
It is!
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Few football execs taken questions since FIFA sell-off drama But here’s New Zealand ceo Andrew Pragnell, after withdrawing support for Infantino “People might be scared to take position because of some retribution - we cannot have that” @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/752...
nytimes.com
New Zealand Football CEO hopes 'others will feel brave enough' to go public on Infantino's position
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Reposted by Adam Crafton
Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
‼️ ⚽️ Top FIFA officials including Matias Grafstrom, the CEO who made peace with Gianni Infantino, signed off on the plan to sell the World Cup after a secret meeting in New York the day before the World Cup final. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/b...
nytimes.com
FIFA Executives Were Given Ultimatum to Approve World Cup Privatization Plan (Gift Article)
The day before the World Cup final, key FIFA figures faced a stunning demand to sign off on a multibillion-dollar privatization project.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Exclusive @TheAthleticFC Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin writes to FIFA’s Infantino to request he appear before the House Judiciary Committee & provide all of his and FIFA’s records of contacts with Trump, his administration and Trump family business by Aug 9. www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
nytimes.com
Infantino requested to appear before House committee over Trump relationship
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
That’s very kind thank you
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
😂
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
It’s not about England fans. It was about the mass gatherings late at night and the risks this poses. (4 people died after Ecuador game)
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
NEW What really went on: Rather than weather….FIFA nearly rescheduled England v Mexico due to primary concerns raised around safety of supporters for evening kick off, giving fears to earlier runway for pre-match drinking & post-match late night gatherings www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...
nytimes.com
Mexico vs. England rescheduling talks centred on fan safety, security concerns
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Exclusive US Soccer has made Pochettino an offer to extend contract by four years & lead USMNT at 2030 World Cup. Proposal made pre-tournament to signpost interest in keeping Poch. All parties agreed to make final decision after ‘26 WC www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...
nytimes.com
Mauricio Pochettino offered contract extension to lead USMNT for second World Cup cycle (Gift Article)
Any decisions will be deferred until after the 2026 tournament, where the USMNT is into the knockout stage.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
“Every team can have their people, so I don’t understand why people from Africa cannot.” Senegal captain Koulibaly speaks out on travel bans limiting travel from his country for fans for World Cup. www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...
nytimes.com
Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly questions World Cup travel ban for fans: ‘Africans can’t have their people’ (Gift Article)
Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran and Haiti are the nations at the World Cup subject to travel bans imposed by the Trump administration.
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Reposted by Adam Crafton
Murshed Zaheed @murshedz.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
“Every team can have their people, so I don’t understand why people from Africa cannot.” Senegal captain Koulibaly speaks out on Trump/Miller regime’s travel bans in the #WorldCup. @adamcrafton.bsky.social @david-ornstein.bsky.social
nytimes.com
Senegal’s Kalidou Koulibaly questions World Cup travel ban for fans: ‘Africans can’t have their people’
Senegal, Ivory Coast, Iran and Haiti are the nations at the World Cup subject to travel bans imposed by the Trump administration.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Exclusive Unionized workers in SoFI stadium today handed “Kick Ice Out” buttons to wear by union shop stewards inside the venue (and some are wearing them) Workers been fighting in recent months for protections against ICE at the venue. www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...
nytimes.com
'Kick ICE Out' buttons given to SoFi Stadium workers before USMNT-Paraguay
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social President Trump not currently planning to attend USMNT opening FIFA World Cup match against Paraguay on Friday night at SoFi Stadium, per four people familiar with match planning or his plans. He has walkthroughs of White House UFC event on Friday.
nytimes.com
President Trump not planning on attending United States’ opening World Cup game
The State Department has issued a release to say Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a U.S. government delegation at the game.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
It’s played at all his rallies!
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
NEW: Democrat Rep. Rick Larsen tells @theathleticfc.bsky.social his info is ref Artan faced “legitimate” scrutiny "CBP decision probably the right one. CBP has authority to look at devices & seems they determined some communications concerning enough to deny entry” www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
Trump administration claim Somali World Cup referee denied U.S. entry had suspected 'terror' ties
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
💰 Missouri, Georgia and Florida waived sales tax on ticket sales to entice FIFA to give games to Kansas City, Atlanta and Miami. An analysis by The Athletic now shows this will cost at least $57m in lost tax revenue for the U.S. tax payer www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...
nytimes.com
Three U.S. states waived at least $57.8m in taxes to host World Cup games
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
NEW Infantino floats in & out of the Oval Office, hangs out with Trump officials, squeezes host cities for cash & cloaks FIFA in MAGA. Now, FIFA wants to be considered powerless. Free to read column on Gianni’s visa disasterclass www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
The World Cup visa mess has its roots in Gianni Infantino's cosiness to President Trump
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
New Workers at SoFi stadium strike deal to become highest paid at NFL venues after threatening strike before World Cup 40% uplift for concession stand workers & clause allows them to walk off if “reasonable fear” of safety risk from ICE www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...
nytimes.com
Union for SoFi Stadium workers reaches agreement with operators after previously authorizing strike (Gift Article)
The high-stake negotiations by the union have earned a 40 per cent increase in pay for attendants at concessions stands
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Report There’s been a lot of public money spent in the US towards this World Cup. Here’s a mad one: the $25.8m spent by Kansas City to get a jail ready for the World Cup, only for it not to be ready by the World Cup… www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...
nytimes.com
The $25.8m Kansas City ‘World Cup jail’ that isn’t ready for the World Cup (Gift Article)
The anticipated influx of World Cup fans was often cited as motivation for a temporary jail facility in Kansas City
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Reposted by Adam Crafton
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Exclusive Chicago said NO to hosting World Cup Former mayor Rahm Emanuel tells @theathleticfc.bsky.social how FIFA wanted contract that could have forced Chicago taxpayers to pay for a dome on Soldier Field… & how FIFA claimed Chicago needed them for “marketing” www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...
nytimes.com
The Chicago mayor who said 'no' to the World Cup: 'The numbers don't work'
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Exclusive Chicago said NO to hosting World Cup Former mayor Rahm Emanuel tells @theathleticfc.bsky.social how FIFA wanted contract that could have forced Chicago taxpayers to pay for a dome on Soldier Field… & how FIFA claimed Chicago needed them for “marketing” www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...
nytimes.com
The Chicago mayor who said 'no' to the World Cup: 'The numbers don't work'
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
The International Sports Press Association (AIPS) has written to FIFA claiming that “many” Iranian and African journalists have been denied the necessary visas to cover the World Cup in the United States. www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
Iranian and African journalists denied necessary World Cup visas, sports press association says (Gift Article)
AIPS president Gianni Merlo said in a letter to FIFA that the cases are "countless and unacceptable" and part of a "long-standing" problem.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
New: FIFA crisis….the union which represents more than 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium has voted 96 per cent in favor of authorizing a strike - one week before the U.S. men’s national team open their World Cup campaign at the venue. Free to read! www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
A week before USMNT World Cup opener, union for SoFi Stadium workers vote to authorize strike
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
NEW: After backlash from politicians, media and fans, FIFA u-turn on a u-turn: Now FIFA say that fans can bring a water bottle to World Cup stadiums this summer – but the new rules do not yet apply to venues in Mexico. www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
FIFA will now allow water bottles in World Cup venues after backlash - but not yet in Mexico
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social Members of FIFA’s security & safety team internally raised concerns over FIFA water bottle ban Staff members believe ban influenced by commercial interests (FIFA say it about safety) Coca-Cola sources insist not involved in decision www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
FIFA staff concerned water-bottle ban for fans was influenced by commercial considerations
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Exclusive: FIFA make last-gasp change to World Cup stadium rules: BANNING fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles, so fans must buy water in stadia As of May, empty bottles permitted so fans could refill amid heat concerns. Not now www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...
nytimes.com
FIFA will no longer allow fans to bring water bottles into World Cup stadiums (Gift Article)
The code of conduct has been altered so fans will no longer be able to take in, or refill, water bottles.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social Union representing over 2,000 workers at SoFi Stadium has broken off negotiations with the stadium operators and plans to hold a strike vote next week - just a week before the venue hosts the opening USMNT match of the World Cup. www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...
nytimes.com
FIFA facing ‘significant’ World Cup problem as SoFi Stadium workers set for strike vote (Gift Article)
SoFi will host eight World Cup games, including the USA's opener against Paraguay on June 12.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Story: A Vancouver-based non-profit which assists people recovering from serious spinal injuries organized a raffle of two World Cup tickets. Then the cease-and-desist letters came from FIFA. Free to read www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...
nytimes.com
FIFA blocks charity’s World Cup raffle for ‘violating trademark and ticketing policy’ (Gift Article)
The Vancouver-based non-profit received a cease-and-desist letter from a law firm representing the World Cup organizer
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
The latest U.S. lawsuit threat against FIFA: A non-profit group demanding FIFA reverse its current policy of prohibiting the pre-revolutionary “Lion & Sun” Iran flag from venues in North America this summer. Free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...
nytimes.com
FIFA threatened with U.S. lawsuit over World Cup ban on pre-revolutionary Iran flag
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 23/05/2026
Superb
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill requested New York New Jersey World Cup host committee CHANGE signage at MetLife Stadium: Was gonna be “New York New Jersey stadium” at WC, but one major sign to now read New Jersey New York Stadium www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...
nytimes.com
MetLife stadium signage brings tension in New York and New Jersey’s World Cup partnership
A joint host-city partnership between New York and New Jersey was established in 2018 to host World Cup games at the stadium.
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Not true in this case in nyc/nj games
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Exclusive @theathleticfc.bsky.social NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani secures 1,000 World Cup tickets at $50 to be balloted for New Yorkers (the cheapest at the WC) Inside the meeting with Infantino (& Wenger on FaceTime) & how Mamdani negotiated a rare FIFA concession. www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...
nytimes.com
Mayor Mamdani secures $50 World Cup tickets for New Yorkers after negotiations with Infantino
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
NEW FIFA plan to prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iran flag - often used as a statement of identity and protest by Iranian diaspora against the theocratic Iranian regime - in their venues at World Cup this summer. Free to read www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...
nytimes.com
FIFA will again prohibit the pre-revolutionary Iran flag in World Cup stadiums (Gift Article)
Members of the Iranian diaspora have in the past displayed the flag at sporting events as a means to protest the regime in Tehran
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
What it does help? Players and coaches and support staff are no longer being asked to pay bonds. FIFA say they are “grateful” to the Trump administration for this, but it would have been unprecedented as a requirement. www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...
nytimes.com
U.S. State Dept. to waive $10k visa bond for World Cup. But will it really help players and fans?
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social Yesterday: excited headlines about how $15k visa bonds are waived by the U.S. State Department for World Cup fans. The truth? Much more complicated l. The reality: most fans from impacted countries will not benefit. Explained: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...
nytimes.com
U.S. State Dept. to waive $10k visa bond for World Cup. But will it really help players and fans?
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Exclusive (and free!) interview with Carlo Ancelotti. We discussed Brazil, the big Neymar decision and why involving players in strategy is the key to success - “I don’t want soldiers” And why it’s “bullshit” to say Real Madrid players do as they want www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
Carlo Ancelotti exclusive: 'Players at Real Madrid do what they want? Absolutely bulls***!'
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Exclusive: FIFA to have opening ceremonies at all three host nation openers, plus USA 250 ceremonies at two July 4 games. FIFA acts lined up: Katy Perry, Alanis Morissette, Michael Buble, LISA, Future, and many more…. Free to read @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
FIFA to hold three World Cup opening ceremonies and two marking America 250, artists revealed (Gift Article)
Katy Perry, Future and Sanjoy are lined up at SoFi Stadium, Michael Buble and Alanis Morissette in Toronto, and Mana will play at the Azteca
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
NEW: A complaint has been filed to the attorney general of California alleging that the data sharing in FIFA’s accreditation process for workers at SoFi Stadium represents a “serious intrusion” into the right to privacy and violates worker rights. www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
SoFi Stadium workers’ union complains about FIFA to California attorney general (Gift Article)
The complaint alleges "serious intrusion" into the right to privacy for those working at the World Cup venue
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Exclusive: Rodney Barreto, chair of Miami World Cup host committee, tells me that he received personal assurances from Marco Rubio that ICE will not be at World Cup venues “This is not going to turn into some ’round them up’ type of thing,” Barreto says…. www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
Miami host committee: 'Rubio told us ICE will not be at World Cup stadiums'
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Exclusive NJ Transit to reduce pricing for the round trip rail to MetLife from $150 to $105 - 30% cut - after securing funding from sponsors & other private sources. Follows row between NJ Governor Sherrill & FIFA over pricing Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/726...
nytimes.com
New Jersey Transit to reduce round-trip rail prices for World Cup events to $105 (Gift Article)
The decision to raise the prices led to a row between Gov. Sherrill and FIFA.
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Reposted by Adam Crafton
Jonathan Tannenwald @jtannenwald.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
The World Cup has been political since its very first edition. But in so many ways, this one feels even more so than most. My analysis on the eve of the FIFA Congress, the last big chance for the soccer world to say anything to Gianni Infantino before the summer: www.inquirer.com/soccer/world...
inquirer.com
The World Cup has always been political, but it feels even more so now
From war in Iran to visa headaches and ICE threats, this World Cup has not stuck to sports. This week's FIFA Congress is a chance for the world to protest to soccer's leaders. But do they really care?
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Reposted by Adam Crafton
Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 25/04/2025
Inside battle for domestic league games abroad: 😮 FIFA to approve but working group considering a cap on how many games a league can play in specific outside territory per season 🇺🇸Real Madrid opposed to La Liga plan to play in US for fear it eliminates home advantage www.nytimes.com/athletic/630...
nytimes.com
La Liga? Serie A? Liga MX? Inside the battle to play league games in USA
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
If there is a potential caveat: the document does not state whether “tickets purchased” includes hospitality and other types of tickets that weren’t sold to the general public. FIFA declined to clarify that yesterday. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article)
A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
A ton of analysis in here by colleague Henry Bushnell of trends within the ticketing website (plus how US Soccer have also been attempting to push this game to fans to drive up sales), all of which supports the case for this game (at these prices) struggling to shift. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article)
A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Document of sales data is accurate as of April 10, provided to local organizers for planning purposes by FIFA. Clearest evidence so far that Cat 1 & Cat 2 tickets — priced at $2,730 & $1,940 - rebounding on FIFA for this game. Will FIFA drop prices? www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article)
A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
REVEALED: @theathleticfc.bsky.social has seen official “tickets purchased” numbers for World Cup group games at 70k SoFi Stadium near LA. Sales for high-priced USMNT opener are lagging significantly (40k tickets purchased) behind games such as Iran v New Zealand. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...
nytimes.com
Why FIFA is struggling to sell tickets for USMNT’s World Cup opener vs. Paraguay (Gift Article)
A sales document distributed to local organizers shows that plenty of seats are still available for the World Cup cohosts' first match
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Adam Crafton @adamcrafton.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
Exclusive Philadelphia’s World Cup committee ensures FREE transport for fans leaving their stadium this summer, assisted by partnership with Airbnb. The in-bound SEPTA ticket to the venue is also staying at usual $2.90. www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...
nytimes.com
Philadelphia to offer fans free transport when leaving World Cup games (Gift Article)
Lincoln Financial Field will host six men's World Cup matches this summer, with Brazil and France among the teams playing in Philadelphia.
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