The report says millions of supporters submitted ticket applications when opened the process last year, hoping to secure reasonably priced seats. Applications were made quickly, but the outcome arrived only after a long wait.
That delay is more than an administrative frustration. A fan may need to weigh flights, accommodation and work commitments before knowing whether a ticket bid has succeeded. The financial risk grows when prices rise closer to the tournament and popular host cities fill up.
For affluent travellers, the same uncertainty carries less weight. The report says travel planners working with ultra-wealthy clients see little need to rush into ticket or trip decisions.
That difference does not necessarily mean operates separate rules for different income groups. It reflects the value of flexibility. A wealthy fan can wait, pay for premium access if required, and adjust plans around availability. A regular supporter may lose affordable flights or accommodation while still waiting for a ticket decision.
The divide is therefore about more than comfort. It determines who can plan early, who can absorb wasted costs and who can still attend when the market tightens.
The next stage of the 2026 World Cup ticket process will reveal how many applicants convert their bids into confirmed seats. The wider question will remain whether football’s biggest celebration can feel accessible when uncertainty is affordable only to some.