United States President Donald Trump has weighed in on the rising cost of tickets for the 2026 World Cup, saying he would not be willing to pay the reported $1,000 price to watch the USA’s opening match.
The United States, co-hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, are set to begin their campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles on 12 June. However, the high cost of attending the game has drawn widespread criticism.
Speaking to The New York Post, Trump admitted he was surprised by the reported price and said it would put him off attending. He also expressed concern that many fans could be priced out of the event, particularly those eager to support the national team on home soil.
FIFA’s ticketing approach for the tournament has come under scrutiny, with group-stage matches priced according to demand rather than a fixed structure. In addition, the governing body has faced criticism over its resale system, which allows tickets to be sold at higher prices while taking a percentage fee from each transaction.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing model, arguing that it reflects the wider US sports market and helps control excessive resale inflation.
In response to the backlash, FIFA has introduced a limited number of lower-priced tickets, while some host cities have taken steps to address related costs. In New Jersey, for example, transport prices to matches have been reduced after initial increases sparked concern among fans.
Despite these adjustments, the overall cost of attending matches remains a major talking point ahead of the tournament, with accessibility for supporters continuing to be a key issue.
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