The Doncaster Rovers fans battling ticket and travel 'faff' to watch England at the World Cup

The 2026 World Cup hasn't even started and it's already created plenty of controversy.

As well as the political turmoil engulfing the tournament, sky-high ticket prices and the soaring cost of travel and accommodation have put plenty of English supporters off from travelling to the United States, Canada and Mexico for the expanded 48-team extravaganza which begins next Thursday (June 11). But a clutch of Doncaster Rovers fans are undeterred as they cheer on Thomas Tuchel's side on across the Atlantic.

Simon Boddy is one of them. He's heading to the States for a seven-day trip that will take in two of England's group games. "We're heading to Boston and New York, where we have tickets for the Ghana and Panama games," he tells the Free Press.

"There's three of us going - all Rovers season ticket holders and we're looking forward to it."

Whilst excitement for Simon is sky-high, he admits reservations over the travel costs: "We've paid $80 for the train from Boston to the stadium and then in New York they originally wanted $150 from New York to New Jersey, but that has got slashed down to $20."

Blake Wilson, another Rovers supporter, is heading to all three England group games starting with the Croatia match in Dallas on June 17. Thanks to plenty of planning, he's managed to get costs down: "I took the least price-gouged flights I could find, meaning I go to Copenhagen on the 15th, Helsinki on the 16th and then finally to Dallas on the 16th!

"It's been a lot of faffing but we're having four days in each of Dallas, Boston, and New York. I'm definitely looking forward to it as it's my first time to America and my first major tournament with England."

Blake says he tried to beat the price hikes by booking hotels as soon as locations for matches were announced but two of these were since cancelled. He added: "It's been a nightmare sorting it all on a budget, but hopefully it's all smooth sailing from here."