Juan Cortes, a mechanic in Los Angeles, has hung US and Mexican flags outside his shop to celebrate the FIFA World Cup's return to Southern California after 32 years. Yet, despite his passion, he cannot afford to attend any matches.

Exorbitant ticket prices have made the tournament inaccessible for die-hard fans like Cortes, who will watch from home. “I wish they would help us out – so people like us, who are into the game and have the passion for their teams, were able to go see our idols play,” he told Al Jazeera.

Tickets for the US opener against Paraguay were still available on resale platforms hours before kickoff. Francisco Aguilar, a fan from Texas, lamented the prioritization of profits over fans. “It’s just sad that you can’t go; it’s a class thing,” he said.

Beyond pricing, visa and immigration policies under the Trump regime have caused controversy. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry, and Iraqi player Aymen Hussein was detained. The Iranian team has based itself in Mexico, traveling to the US only for matches.

The Trump regime has not ruled out ICE raids near stadiums, sparking protests. Activist Lisa Walker held a sign reading “ICE out,” calling the policies “fascism.” English fan Jan Wilkinson, however, praised the atmosphere, saying “it’s buzzing.”

Despite the issues, excitement remains high. Wilkinson confidently predicted England would win, saying “it’s coming home.” The tournament continues amid a mix of joy and frustration.

Source: www.aljazeera.com