Bill Saporito’s opinion piece warns that the World Cup’s four‑year hype cycle brings a fresh wave of criticism, from the quality of play to FIFA’s dynamic ticketing scheme that pushes prices beyond many fans’ reach. The governing body’s aggressive pricing for low‑profile matches, coupled with a surplus of empty hotel rooms, suggests a sizable secondary‑market resale. Yet most tickets are already sold.

In 1994 the United States silenced skeptics when a sold‑out Giants Stadium hosted Italy versus Ireland, proving American crowds could fill venues. That tournament sparked the creation of Major League Soccer, a league FIFA demanded to secure the bid. Subsequent Cups in France, South Africa and Qatar showed host nations could translate fan fervor into tourism dollars and global brand exposure.

Despite the complaints, fan energy will flood stadiums in Mexico City, Los Angeles and Toronto, driving ancillary revenue for local businesses. The resale market may inflate prices, but it also indicates demand that sponsors and advertisers, and media rights holders, can monetize. The tournament’s ability to draw diverse crowds underscores its value as a commercial engine for years, regardless of political noise.