When it comes to the 2026 World Cup, even the President of the United States is balking at the price tag. Despite his close ties with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Donald Trump has openly criticized the soaring cost of tickets for the tournament, telling the New York Post, "I wouldn't pay it either."

The controversy erupted after it was revealed that seats for the U.S. men's national team opener against Paraguay on June 12 are going for more than $1,000. Trump, who expressed a desire to attend the match, admitted he was taken aback by the numbers. "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."

Trump's comments came just hours after Infantino defended the pricing strategy at a conference in Beverly Hills. The FIFA boss argued that the high costs are justified by the American market. "We have to look at the market — we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world," Infantino explained. "So we have to apply market rates." He also pointed to the U.S. policy of allowing ticket resales, suggesting that lower prices would only lead to scalping.

Infantino made a particularly bold claim, stating that "you cannot go to watch in the U.S., a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300. And this is the World Cup."

For Trump, the issue hits close to home. He voiced concern that working-class fans — many of whom have been key to his political support — might be priced out of the tournament. "I haven't seen that, but I would have to take a look at it," he said. "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. I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go."

As the World Cup kicks off on June 11 and runs through the final in July, the debate over accessibility and affordability is heating up. For fans hoping to catch the action live, it's a reminder that even the biggest stage in sports comes with a hefty price — and that's a conversation that's reaching the highest levels of government.