Secondary market prices for 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage tickets are falling below original face values, a rare dynamic for a tournament that typically commands premium demand. Data from resale platforms show that sellers are struggling to move inventory for early-round matches, despite the expanded 48-team, 80-game format that offered more supply than any prior edition. The decline suggests that projected enthusiasm has not translated into actual purchasing intent, particularly for lower-tier games or those scheduled in less central locations. Analysts point to the geographic breadth of the host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—which creates variable transportation costs for a global fan base already burdened by inflation. The drop also exposes a miscalculation by speculative buyers who acquired tickets expecting scarcity. Whether this softening reflects rational consumer recalibration or the start of broader demand erosion for the tournament itself remains an open question for 2026 organizers.