World Cup Opens Thursday as FIFA Seeks to Overcome Ticket and Political Concerns
The tournament begins on Thursday with matches across multiple venues. FIFA has stated it expects fan interest to outweigh reported objections over pricing and external conditions.
api.foxsports.comThe World Cup begins on Thursday with FIFA stating that interest in the event will outweigh reported objections over ticket prices, political conditions in the United States, and regional conflicts.
Games are scheduled at multiple stadiums in host countries. FIFA has not released updated attendance projections for the opening round.
Organizers have faced criticism over ticket costs in prior cycles. FIFA said it believes the competition's global draw will maintain viewership despite those concerns. The organization also referenced an uneasy political climate in the United States and ongoing tensions in the Middle East as background conditions. No specific security changes were announced in the report.
