President Donald Trump expressed surprise and disapproval over the skyrocketing ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating he would not pay more than $1,000 to attend the United States men’s national team’s opening match.
In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, President Trump reacted to reports that tickets for the U.S. opener against Paraguay on June 12 are currently selling for $1,000 and above.
“I did not know that number,” Trump said. “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”
The President voiced concern that high prices could prevent average American fans particularly his supporters from working-class communities from attending games. “If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed,” he added. Trump also highlighted his role in helping bring the World Cup to the United States during his first term.
The comments come amid growing backlash against FIFA’s pricing strategy for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Critics, including fan groups and lawmakers, have called the costs exclusionary, especially when compared to previous World Cups. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing, citing high demand with over 500 million ticket requests.
President Trump’s remarks add significant pressure on organizers as the tournament approaches, underscoring the need for accessible pricing to ensure broad fan participation in what is expected to be a landmark event for American soccer.