"I wouldn't pay it either." — Donald Trump, on the reported $1,120 ticket price for the U.S. World Cup opener.
President Donald Trump commented on the reported ticket price for the United States' opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stating in an interview with The New York Post that he "wouldn't pay it either."
The United States men's national team is scheduled to play Paraguay on June 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. The tournament is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Ticket Pricing and FIFA Policy
FIFA has set a base price of approximately $1,120 (£736) for Category 3 tickets to the US-Paraguay match. This pricing structure marks a change from recent World Cups, as FIFA is employing a dynamic pricing model for the 2026 tournament where group-stage ticket prices vary based on team popularity rather than a flat rate.
According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, the dynamic pricing strategy is designed to apply market rates and prevent tickets from being resold at higher prices on secondary markets. Infantino also stated that attending a top professional sporting event in the United States costs at least $300, a claim that has been disputed by various outlets.
Additionally, FIFA’s official resale platform charges a combined 30% fee per transaction, split equally between buyers and sellers.
Trump's Remarks
Trump stated he had not previously known the ticket price for the US opener. He expressed disappointment that supporters from Queens and Brooklyn might be priced out of attending the match. Trump added that he would like to attend the game but not at the reported price.
"Supporters from Queens and Brooklyn might be priced out of attending the match."
Context of Criticism
FIFA has faced criticism over its pricing strategy for the 2026 World Cup. The varying ticket costs based on team popularity and the high fees associated with the official resale platform have been cited as concerns by some observers.