Record-Price World Cup Draws Israeli Fans and Ticket Scammers

The 2026 World Cup has just begun after opening ceremonies in Mexico, Canada and the United States, and it is already being described as the biggest, most diverse, most profitable, and most expensive World Cup ever. Tens of thousands of Israelis are expected to travel to the matches, but the huge demand has also created fertile ground for fake tickets and online fraud.

Even before factoring in flights, hotels and other travel costs, ticket prices alone are at record levels. Some group-stage games are selling for more than $1,000, a Mexico versus Czechia ticket is averaging about $1,100, and final tickets are climbing to more than $10,000.

Two Israelis shared how the scams played out. Chen from Tel Aviv arrived in Mexico with his partner and only learned at the stadium entrance that the ticket had already been scanned. “At first I was sure it was a mistake,” he said. “I asked them to try again and again, but then I understood we had been conned.” He said the worst part was not the money, but missing the match after dreaming about it for months and flying “to the other side of the world.”

Merav from Nahariya said she tried to surprise her son in New York for his birthday by buying him a World Cup ticket from a man who seemed trustworthy online. “He sounded very convincing,” she said. “He talked to me several times, sent screenshots, explained where we would sit in the stadium. The moment I transferred the money, he simply disappeared.” She later kept calling and messaging, but got nothing back.

Asaf Einat, a partner at Ticketims, said rising demand also drives fraud, including fake tickets and tickets sold to multiple people. He warned that some victims discover the problem only a day before the match, while others reach the stadium gate before realizing the ticket is counterfeit or already used. His advice is to buy only through known, reliable companies, check who is behind the deal, read reviews, and verify a real address and customer service. “If a rare ticket sounds too good to be true, there is probably a reason,” he said.