President Donald Trump has taken a strong stance against the skyrocketing cost of 2026 FIFA World Cup tickets, specifically calling out the $1,000 price tag for the U.S. team's opening match. In an exclusive interview with The New York Post, the president expressed concern that working-class fans are being priced out of the tournament, a sentiment that resonates deeply with sports enthusiasts who value accessibility and fair play.
During the telephone interview, Trump revealed he was unaware of the pricing scale until journalists informed him. The cheapest ticket for the U.S. team's June 12 match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, currently sits at $1,079 on Ticketmaster. "I did not know that number," Trump said. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you." These comments came just hours after FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly defended the tournament's pricing model, which has faced mounting criticism from fan groups across the globe.
The cost of attending this World Cup has soared well beyond previous editions, creating a significant barrier for everyday fans. For context, the average ticket for the final on July 19 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium is nearly $13,000, compared to approximately $1,600 for the 2022 championship match in Qatar. Resale listings for the final have reportedly exceeded $2 million, a figure Infantino acknowledged at the Milken Institute Global Conference on Tuesday. "We have to look at the market," Infantino stated. "We are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates."
The FIFA chief, whose annual compensation reaches $6 million, argued that underpricing would simply fuel the secondary market. Trump, however, signaled that his administration could scrutinize the matter. "I haven't seen that, but I would have to take a look at it," he said when questioned about the pricing structure. "If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can't go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it's an amazing success." Trump did not specify what regulatory steps, if any, his administration might pursue.
For fans gearing up for the 2026 World Cup, this debate highlights the growing tension between commercial success and fan accessibility—a conversation that's especially relevant for those looking to gear up in style without breaking the bank.