$25 a ticket then, $10,990 now: What has changed since the United States last hosted a soccer World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup will return to North America in 2026, 32 years after the United States first hosted the tournament in 1994. But a lot has changed since then, from the number of teams and matches to ticket prices, stadium requirements and even the way matches are officiated on the field.The 2026 edition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will be the largest World Cup in history. The tournament will include 48 teams, compared to 24 teams in 1994 and 32 in recent editions.One of the biggest changes is the cost of attending matches. In 1994, tickets for the first round ranged from $25 to $75, while tickets for the final ranged from $180 to $475. For the 2026 World Cup, ticket prices initially ranged from US$140 to US$2,735 for the first-round matches, and from US$4,185 to US$8,680 for the final.

FIFA later increased the price of the highest-priced final ticket to US$10,990. The 2026 tournament is also the first World Cup to use dynamic pricing, where ticket prices change based on demand.The tournament itself has grown significantly. The 1994 World Cup was the last edition to feature 24 teams before FIFA expanded the field to 32 teams in 1998. In 2026, the competition will field 48 teams and include a new round of 32 teams. Teams that reach the final will now play eight matches instead of seven.

There were also changes to playing conditions. In 1994, FIFA allowed some stadiums to use pitches narrower than standard dimensions. For the 2026 tournament, the stadiums have been modified to comply with FIFA’s field size requirements.Attendance is also expected to increase sharply. The 1994 World Cup attracted a record crowd of 3.59 million spectators for 52 matches, with an average of 68,991 fans per match. With nearly double the number of matches in 2026, total attendance is expected to reach between six and seven million.The tournament’s footprint has also expanded. The 1994 edition was held in nine stadiums across the United States, with the inaugural match being held at Soldier Field in Chicago. The 2026 World Cup will use 16 stadiums, 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada. All matches from the quarter-finals onwards will be played in the United States. Chicago will not host any matches after refusing to participate due to concerns about financial arrangements with FIFA.The stadium infrastructure has also changed. While the 1994 World Cup used several NFL stadiums, some of which no longer exist, all 11 American stadiums in 2026 are modern NFL stadiums with luxury suites and premium seating areas.Player welfare procedures have also evolved. The teams played in hot and humid conditions in 1994 without scheduled rest periods. In 2026, matches played in similar weather conditions will include three-minute breaks in each half, which coaches may also use to pass on instructions.The substitution rules have expanded significantly. Teams could only make two substitutions during the 1994 World Cup, with a third substitution only permitted in specific goalkeeping situations. In 2026, teams can use five substitutions during regular time, with an additional substitute available in overtime and another allowed to replace a player suffering a concussion.Many aspects of the show have also changed. Player names first appeared on shirts at the 1994 World Cup and have since become a standard feature of the game.The way the tournament is organized has also changed. The 1994 World Cup was largely run by a local organizing committee led by Alan Rothenberg, then president of the United States Soccer Federation. For the 2026 tournament, FIFA is directly overseeing operations, with President Gianni Infantino playing a prominent role in the preparations.