World Cup Lost Its Soul

Former World Cup veteran Brian Tompkins is sitting this one out—not because he’s lost faith in soccer, but because he’s furious about how the 2026 tournament has become a luxury event. Ticket prices have exploded, with scalpers charging thousands, making it unaffordable for the average fan. He recalls past World Cups as globally inclusive experiences, now overshadowed by American-style commercialization that’s priced out millions. Transportation and lodging costs add to the burden, fueling resentment among fans who feel FIFA’s corruption and greed have turned soccer’s grandest stage into a privilege for the wealthy. Still, Tompkins plans to watch—and urges others to join him—while hoping the game can one day return to being truly “the game of the people.” Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/37c274473f564139