When even the President of the United States says he wouldn't shell out for a ticket, you know the price tag is raising eyebrows. Donald Trump recently weighed in on the reported $1,000 (£736) cost to watch the USA take on Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup opener, and his reaction might surprise you.
"I did not know that number," Trump told The New York Post, when asked about the steep price for the Group D clash. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you." The match, set for June 12 in Los Angeles, marks the start of the U.S. campaign in a tournament co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.
The pricing controversy has been simmering for months. In a departure from recent World Cups, FIFA has priced group-stage tickets based on the perceived popularity of the teams involved, rather than a flat rate. Critics have called the strategy "extortionate," especially as fans face inflated prices on FIFA's official resale platform—where the governing body takes a 30% cut (15% from both buyer and seller).
Trump, a Queens native, expressed concern that the high costs could price out everyday fans. "If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can't go, I would be disappointed," he said. "But, you know, at the same time, it's an amazing success. I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go."
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing, comparing it to other major U.S. sporting events. "In the US, it is permitted to resell tickets as well," Infantino said at the Milken Institute Global Conference. "If you were to sell tickets at a price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price." Following backlash, FIFA did introduce a limited number of more affordable $45 tickets for all 104 matches, though availability remains scarce.
For soccer fans and collectors alike, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a historic—and expensive—event. Whether you're saving up for a ticket or just looking to rep your team in style, one thing's clear: the conversation around accessibility and pricing is far from over.