I think you are underestimating the number of eyeballs on WC2026. 2022 viewership of the tournament increased 30 percent from 2018 and it had to compete with winter sport schedules. The Messi effect, Copa, Olympics, EPL/la Liga games coming to US will all capture new fans. 70k showed up to a MLS game?! Crazy. But you’re right, more viewers doesn't automatically mean more buyers of cardboard. Let’s hope Fanatics can execute their mission, rising tides lift all boats.

@UsmntSoccerCards

2 ай бұрын

I definitely believe the tournament will be huge. I just think it will take more time to convert those eyeballs into card collectors. Also in regards to fanatics, we hope they turn people into collectors. But they could very well turn kids into degenerative gamblers chasing gimmicks. (Tom Brady Baseball Cards, Lebron/Bronny Dual Autos) and the like.

@goldencardboard9693

2 ай бұрын

I always appreciate your negativity, for it keeps me grounded. While a side of fanatics business model includes breaks/gambling, it also includes providing access to unmatched experiences/connection with players and making the hobby exciting for all, not just us dumb, old, fat Americans. Imagine winning an opportunity to walk out on the pitch with your favorite team or go to a private signing for your favorite player. A touch better than the sticker autos with napkins collectors pay high dollar for now, eh? You may call it a gimmick, I’ll call it a core memory and lifelong fan.

@UsmntSoccerCards

2 ай бұрын

@@goldencardboard9693 The experiences you're mentioning sound great. I'm glad those are on the table. I wasn't calling those gimmicks to be fair, more so the odd ball cards that are hyped on release then never talked about again.

@jamesnguyen7069

2 ай бұрын

nfts. panini. thank me later.

@hansel7532

Ай бұрын

If I remember correctly the soccer card market in 2022 during the World Cup there was no boom. Maybe for selling volume yes. But many cards went down in price due to that volume. I assume the selling will be much larger this time. But prices idk if I were to guess, I’ll say it’ll drop.

I think prices in the soccer market and sports card market didn't make sense 2-3 years ago. I believe it is now at a healthy state for collectors and cards move everyday and big players move more often. I think Soccer cards is in a space where it can now grow naturally and true soccer fans and collectors will slowly continue to develop with the market in the UK and Europe and even in the US. not the growth of the sport itself, but the growth of collectors and the hobby in the UK especially.

Thanks for making this video. I complete agree with the points you raise. I'm concerned when I hear enthusiastic (and usually well-intentioned) soccer card collectors / investors gush about the prospects for hobby growth / high prices in the lead up to and (perhaps worse) during the 2026 WC. It seems like a potentially great time to buy (some of those rarely up for auction cards you note), but likely a really poor time to sell, given the very probable market flood of supply. So your video offers important cautionary advice that I hope other collectors will heed. Let's hope 2026 gives the market a subtle long-term boost -- bringing in, say, 10-15% more collectors in the months / year or two afterward... decades ahead, gradual growth like that is what will matter most for this still undervalued market.

Good video to warn newer entrants. I still think soccer cards move better with hype and Fomo. There will also be new organic growth from US which matters as cards are relevant. Fanatics will also capitalize. Us marketing machine will be hyped. In general my thoughts are to trade out modern hype and consolidate into all time great collectibles. Also, remember that the hobby is fun. It is fun to “play the market”. I think we lose sight of the use value of cards. The small wins along the way to saving those profits to acquire the grail is the journey that makes it fun. If I flip a Balogun & Reyna on the way to saving for a Pele rookie buy makes it fun and active.thank you for the video!

Hello As a french collector i buy cheap cards/stickers from local set of rookie players that i think are going to show good skills during Euro cup 2024.

I think the World Cup will have no short term positive impact on pre modern/vintage. But it will certainly add new collectors. Of the new collectors probably less then 5% will stick around long enough to learn about them

@UsmntSoccerCards

2 ай бұрын

I generally agree, maybe I'm more optimistic, but I believe the number is a good deal more than 5%.

Just seeing the headline makes me wonder if you are ever optimistic about soccer cards lol.

@UsmntSoccerCards

2 ай бұрын

Fair, I am optimistic about certain cards. The problem is (in my opinion) a large percent of recently produced cards are not collectible/investable. And I want to warn people of those pitfalls. If you watch the video though I go on to say I am very optimistic about soccer long term, and believe it is the best bang for it's buck when it comes to collecting sports cards.

@salr2875

2 ай бұрын

@@UsmntSoccerCards I get . I like the channel . I got in on a bunch a treble 2 years ago . Just had some of them graded finally and got a 10 on a blue one, a pop 1. Too bad not a stud . I own 3 Vini. 2 8’s and 1 9 base so I’m always curious about those treble sales in your top 100 videos . I own one of those Pique you laughed in recent video . Gave me a good chuckle .

@ricardomondragon7320

2 ай бұрын

Hi there Treble brother

Meant to comment on this.... Having been in the market since the 2010 World Cup, I can say without a doubt that there was ALWAYS a WC "bounce"... you easily saw this in 2010, 2014 and 2018, but it largely "went away" in 2022. And, while there can be many reasons (macro, general market, crytpo, etc.), I would venture that the #1 reason was SUPPLY... supply of soccer items EXPLODED since 2018 and there was so much more for sale at WC 2022 (as there will be in WC 2026), so two things need to happen before 2026 - supply need to decrease is growth rate and new collectors need to come into the market prior to 2026.... banking on both of these certainly seems risky, but not impossible....

Great analysis! Even my optimism about temporary short term demand increase DURING the tournament, your point about supply increases and the plethora of options may cancel that out completely. And even assuming a few more collectors stay for good, prices will only gradually increase over time theoretically, nothing explosive! I appreciate the realistic outlook and perspective! And agree that it’s awesome that I can afford all time legends rookies and autos because the levels aren’t crazy like basketball!

I was setup at card show with only soccer cards. my setup is never stop to make deals. my next setup hockey guy, he surprised tbat soccer is so popular than his hockey only setup.😅

I started collecting in the early 90s basketball, there was a similar hype then as there was in 2020/2022 and then it all literally went to 0 for the next 20 + yrs. the only reason I have some value is i literally never sold but calculating with inflation im probably still down bad, lol. Jordan #57 was selling for around $3000/5000 at that time. It would have been better to just buy that card or basically any jordan inserts and hold rather then buy boxes and rip them and watch 99.9% of those cards go to 0. Moral of the story: Buy Messi and CR7 and some other legends but mainly those 2 and hold forever. Buying all these modern cards is all trash and trust me its all gonna go to 0. bye

Why is PSA using different colors for Basketball and Football? Iam sure there would be some more green tones. 😅

Lol $34k for a Messi Panini Megacracks Barca PSA 10 action shot card in 2022. Worth $4k now. I was offered $13k for my BGS 9.5 three years ago. Should've accepted it.

@blueodum

2 ай бұрын

I save my LOLs for the buyers that have lost 98% of their purchase price for various Ansu Fati cards.

@SylvainMarveaux9

2 ай бұрын

@@blueodum I've lost about $250 on one of his cards. Haven't sold it though. Glad I didn't pay $4k for a Megacracks PSA 10

compare to NBA or NFL the difference is soccer has way many loyal fans. they collect sets or team or rainbow set of a player. I barely see soccer card flipper but tons of flippers on NBA or NFL. Eventhough soccer card is not mainstream but i feel it is growing year by year. that is why those junks except topps chrome still sell well. My only dislike is overprinting autos. Autos should be numbered.

not dumb but very patriotic. id say usa cards will do well. pulisic. maybe some other younger players. but saying that do agree, might be more an avenue to sell some cards but selling for big $$$ is a different story

I am planning on selling my holy grail in 2026. Only if Soccer cards pick up a bit though.

Everyone should invest in Clint Dempsey cards - going to the moon! JOKE OBVIOUSLY...

@SylvainMarveaux9

2 ай бұрын

Yeah, his or Brian McBride cards

@stereomois

Ай бұрын

I can certainly trade my Brien Taylor cards for Freddy Adu

More pessimistic than realistic (but some true)

Wondering where are all those parashooters that landed on our hobby by early 2020 swearing eternal love and predicting USA 2026 would be the climax of all that house shitery. 😂

compare other sport, soccer is real worldwide sport. the potential of soccer cards are hugh to chase. For now, it won't be wrong to chase Messi or CR7. Mbappe will earn his fame layer on. If England can win a tittle, Jude obviously is another hype.

The lack of a collective hobby consensus is the frustrating part of soccer collecting. I have been in this market for the last four years. It’s still a challenge to discern what will maintain long term value via lineage. Absolutely, true that the Supply / demand equilibrium is shewed to the supply side. Demand is performance/ relative scarcity and lineage. It’s not simple enough for a casual to buy. It’s too complex and a barrier to entry to new collectors. The most valued pre-moderns that are a hobby consensus is the CR7 megacraques and the Messi bis. Under that logic a bis megacrack vini jr would be the consensus top card. But we have this one off treble narrative and a failing optic brand.