Trump Comments on High Ticket Prices for USA vs Paraguay Match
United States President Donald Trump expressed his disapproval of the potential $1,000 (£736) ticket price to watch the USA play Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup opener. The tournament is set to begin on 11 June, with the US, co-hosting alongside Canada and Mexico, starting their campaign in Los Angeles on 12 June.
When asked about the ticket cost by The New York Post, Trump stated,
"I did not know that number. I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."
He further commented on the accessibility of the event for his supporters, saying,
"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."
Fifa's Ticket Pricing Strategy and Criticism
Fifa has faced criticism for its pricing approach for the 2026 World Cup. Unlike previous tournaments, group-stage games are priced based on the perceived popularity of the teams involved rather than a uniform rate. This has led to accusations of "extortionate" pricing.
Additionally, fans encounter inflated prices on Fifa's official resale platform, where the governing body charges a 30% fee on each ticket transaction—15% from both the buyer and the seller.
Fifa President Defends Ticket Costs
Fifa president Gianni Infantino addressed concerns about ticket prices at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills. He stated,
"In the US, it is permitted to resell tickets as well, so if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price."
Following criticism, Fifa introduced a limited number of more affordable £45 tickets for all 104 matches. Furthermore, in Toronto, World Cup match tickets can only be sold at their original price due to the Ontario government's recent ban on reselling event tickets above face value.
Additional Costs for Fans
Fans attending the tournament in the US will also face increased transportation expenses. reported that an England fan would need to spend approximately £6,500 to attend their country's group-stage matches.
