President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the high cost of tickets for the United States’ opening match at the 2026 World Cup, with prices exceeding $1,000. In an interview with the New York Post, he stated he “would not pay” that amount to attend the game.
“I wasn’t aware of that figure,” Trump said when asked Wednesday night about ticket prices for the match against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
The cheapest ticket is listed at $1,940 (€1,650) on FIFA’s official sales website, while resale platforms offer it for $1,150 (€980).
“I’d like to be there, but I’m not paying that, to be honest,” he added. This comes as FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing policy on Tuesday, asserting it reflects the North American market. Infantino also noted that 25% of group-stage tickets cost less than $300 (€255).
The U.S. president suggested the government might review ticket prices, which fans have called excessive, with some filing a complaint against FIFA with the European Commission.
“I haven’t seen that, but I should look into it,” Trump commented. “I’d like people who voted for me to be able to go… If folks from Queens and Brooklyn who support Donald Trump can’t attend the games, I’d be disappointed, but at the same time, it’s an incredible success.”
“I know the tournament is a huge success, breaking all records, and FIFA has never seen anything like it,” Trump said, just over a month before the unprecedented tournament kicks off. Co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, the event will feature 48 teams and 104 matches.
FIFA has sold nearly five million of the seven million available tickets, with a new “last-minute” sales phase opening Thursday on the official website. The organization said more tickets will be released regularly leading up to the final on July 19.