Portugal and US Exits Cause World Cup Ticket Prices to Plunge

The 2026 World Cup has faced a significant setback in both fan engagement and commercial interest following the elimination of Portugal and the United States in the round of 16. This development has had an immediate impact on the ticket resale market, particularly for the quarterfinal match between Spain and Belgium scheduled in Los Angeles.

Journalist Joe Pompliano reported on X that data from ticket resale platforms showed the minimum price for entry to the Spain-Belgium game fell sharply from approximately $3,000 to $1,200 within hours, marking a decline of nearly 60%. This drop signals a clear reduction in demand following the exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and the US team.

Pompliano stated, "With the US losing last night (and Portugal/Ronaldo also getting eliminated), the get-in price for Friday's Quarterfinal match in Los Angeles has dropped from $3,000 to $1,200 overnight. (Data via @TickPick)"

Portugal was eliminated after a 1-0 defeat to Spain, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s run in the tournament. Subsequently, the United States team suffered a heavy 4-1 loss to Belgium, removing the host nation and one of the tournament’s biggest draws from the critical stages.

He added that Ronaldo is regarded as one of the tournament’s major attractions, with his participation boosting ticket demand, viewership, and commercial revenue. Therefore, his early exit, combined with the US team's elimination, represents a significant marketing loss for FIFA. This is especially impactful given that the 2026 World Cup is being held on US soil, where organizers had counted on the home team and the Portuguese star to advance to later rounds to maintain strong fan interest.