The U.S. President Donald Trump expressed surprise at the high price of a ticket for the first match of the United States in the World Cup 2026, which was offered at over $1,000, stating to the New York Post that he “would not pay” that amount to attend the game.
“I was not aware of this amount,” Donald Trump said when asked by the tabloid on Wednesday, May 6, about the price of tickets for the match against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. The cheapest ticket is listed at $1,940 (1,650 euros) on the FIFA ticket sales website, and $1,150 (980 euros) on the FIFA resale platform.
“I would like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay that, to be honest,” he added, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing for the event, saying it reflects the North American “market.”
“I would like the people who voted for me to be able to go”
The FIFA boss also noted that 25% of the group stage tickets were under $300. The American President also suggested that the government could look into the ticket prices, which have been deemed exorbitant by supporters who have filed complaints with the European Commission against FIFA.
“I haven’t seen that but I need to look into it,” he said. “I would like the people who voted for me to be able to go (…) If the people from Queens and Brooklyn who like Donald Trump can’t (attend the games), I would be disappointed but at the same time it’s an incredible success,” explained the former real estate magnate from New York.
5 million tickets sold
“I know (the tournament) is a huge success, it is breaking all records and (FIFA) has never experienced this before,” assured Donald Trump, a little over a month before the start of the unique tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 (48 teams, 104 matches).
FIFA has sold approximately 5 million tickets out of the 7 million available, and a new “last-minute” sales phase opened on Thursday on the official FIFA website. Additional tickets will continue to be sold regularly until the final on July 19, according to the global body.
