President Donald Trump has taken a strong stance against the soaring ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, specifically calling out the $1,000 cost for the US team's opening match. In an exclusive interview with The New York Post, Trump expressed concern that working-class fans are being priced out of the tournament, a sentiment that resonates deeply with the average sports enthusiast.

The controversy centers on the US team's June 12 match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the cheapest tickets on Ticketmaster are currently listed at $1,079. Trump admitted he was unaware of the pricing until reporters brought it to his attention. "I did not know that number," he said. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."

This criticism comes hot on the heels of FIFA President Gianni Infantino's defense of the tournament's pricing model, which has drawn sharp backlash from fan groups across the globe. The cost of attending this World Cup has skyrocketed compared to previous editions. For context, the average ticket for the final on July 19 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium is nearly $13,000, a staggering leap from the approximately $1,600 price tag for the 2022 championship match in Qatar. Resale listings for the final have even 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, but Trump isn't buying it. The president hinted that his administration could investigate the pricing structure, saying, "I haven't seen that, but I would have to take a look at it." He added a personal touch: "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."

While Trump didn't specify what regulatory steps his administration might take, his comments have sparked a broader conversation about accessibility in sports. For fans looking to gear up for the World Cup without breaking the bank, this debate underscores the importance of affordable merchandise and fan-friendly pricing in the sports apparel world.