When the World Cup kicks off in the United States next month, the excitement is palpable—but not everyone is ready to open their wallets. As the country prepares to host the biggest international sporting event alongside America's 250th anniversary celebrations, one major sticking point has emerged: ticket prices.

FIFA has come under fire for the cost of attending matches, with the opening game between the USA and Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles carrying a jaw-dropping entry price of around $1,120 per ticket. And that's just the get-in price; better seats and secondary market options can cost significantly more.

Enter Donald Trump. The US President broke his usual silence on sports matters to voice his sticker shock in a rare comment to the New York Post. "I did not know that number," Trump admitted. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."

Trump also expressed concern for his supporters, noting that "his voters" might be priced out of the action. It's a sentiment that resonates with many fans who dream of witnessing soccer's grandest stage but find the costs prohibitive.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino, however, offered a different perspective at this week's Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills. "In reality, 25 percent of group stage tickets are available for less than $300," he said. "In the U.S., you can't attend a college game, let alone a top-tier professional event, for under $300. And this is the World Cup."

Infantino doubled down on the pricing strategy, adding, "We are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates." It's a business-first approach that might not sit well with budget-conscious fans, but the numbers speak for themselves: five million tickets have already been sold, according to Infantino.

Whether Trump will ultimately attend remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the World Cup is set to draw hundreds of thousands of fans to stadiums and millions more watching globally. For those looking to show their team pride without breaking the bank, our collection of affordable World Cup gear offers a great way to join the celebration—no ticket required.