Men’s National Team has been slow fill SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., just outside of Los Angeles, for its June 12 opener against Paraguay. That match had the third highest priced tickets when FIFA introduced ticket sales in October.The team also has similar numbers to for its second game against Australia in Seattle on June 19 and against Turkey on June 25, according to The Athletic. That is not a good look for the World Cup or for FIFA.Compare that to the June 15 match at SoFi Stadium, as 50,661 tickets have been sold for the Iran-New Zealand encounter.The slow sales come from several factors, including extremely high-ticket prices, which has created controversy coast-to-coast, that the U.S. has traditionally experienced problems attracting pro-American crowds on its own soil, particularly in southern California, and that the squad hasn't impressed in its recent performances.WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 22: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S.

President Donald Trump hold a large World Cup ticket replica in the Oval Office as Vice President JD Vance (3rd-L) and Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem look on August 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw will take place at The Kennedy Center. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWorld Cup ticket prices have gone through the roofThe Athletic reported that when tickets originally went on sale in October, the U.S.’s June 12 opener was the third most expensive ticket of the entire tournament, trailing only one semifinal and the final. It also said that Category 1 and 2 tickets, which cost $2,730 and $1,940, respectively, are still for sale.Exorbitant ticket prices have turned off many long-time soccer supporters, who don’t want to attend any matches in many markets because they are unaffordable.

Many fans have told this writer that if they were going to attend a World Cup game, they would rather watch another team than the USMNT. This isn't a scientific survey by any means, but it is a damning assessment.MORE FROM FORBESWhat Fans Are Paying To Attend The 2026 World CupBy Michael LewisCARSON, CA - JANUARY 28: Paul Arriola #7 of the United States turns and moves with the ball during a game between Colombia and USMNT at Dignity Health Sports Park on January 28, 2023 in Carson, California. (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Getty ImagesLos Angeles Area Hasn’t Been Receptive To The USMNTThe USMNT traditionally has been a hard sell when playing on its own soil, especially in the Los Angeles vicinity.

In fact, the U.S. has avoided playing internationals - friendly or competition in the area because of a sizable Latino population that would root for their team.The last time the Americans performed in LA was more than three years ago, a scoreless draw with Colombia in Carson, Calif. on Jan. 28, 2023.When the USMNT needs to play Mexico in World Cup qualifying, it has chosen Columbus or Cincinnati, Ohio since 2001. The Americans have posted a 5-1-0 record in those games, with all five victories as the famous dos a cero result.There are, however, other areas of the country while the U.S. struggles.Take, for example, the U.S.'s 2-0 loss to the Korea Republic in an international friendly at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J. on Sept. 7.

A huge amount of the 25,600-capacity crowd cheered for the visiting side. “It was like a home match,” South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo said through an interpreter after the match, according to The Athletic.CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during a game between Mexico and USMNT at TQL Stadium on November 12, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)Getty ImagesUSMNT Struggles Against The World’s Best, Outside Of ConcacafWhile it has done well in Concacaf competitions, recent USMNT squads have not acquitted themselves well in competitions that really count - such as the World Cup and Copa America.

Despite being the hosts, U.S. was eliminated in the group stage of Copa America in 2024, which resulted in the firing of head coach Gregg Berhalter.The Americans have captured seven Concacaf Gold Cups, last emerging with a 1-0 triumph over archrival Mexico, in 2021. They also won the first three Concacaf Nations League crowns in 2021, 2023 and 2024. In the most recent competiti