Donald Trump has voiced his concerns regarding the cost of FIFA World Cup tickets, stating he “wouldn’t pay” four figures to watch matches involving the US.
Trump’s Reaction to Ticket Prices
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump said he “did not know that number” when told that tickets for the USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay were going for over $1,000. He was responding to the prices for the USMNT’s opening match against Paraguay.
“I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you,” Trump told the Post when asked about prices for World Cup tickets.
Trump expressed concern that high prices could exclude his supporters. “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,” Trump said. “I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.”
Infantino Defends Pricing Strategy
Trump’s comments follow a defence of ticket pricing by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino recently defended World Cup prices, a day before Trump’s comments.
Infantino defended the use of dynamic pricing for the 2026 World Cup, the first time the tournament has used this system. This mechanism allows ticket prices to fluctuate based on demand.
“We have to look at the market – we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates,” Infantino said.
Infantino added: “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.”
Infantino claimed that one “cannot go to watch in the US a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300,” a claim swiftly debunked by various outlets.
Ticket Price Breakdown
- Tickets for the US opener against Paraguay are priced at $1,000+.
- FIFA established a base price for Category 3 tickets at $1,120.
The Guardian reported in December that FIFA established a base price for Category 3 tickets – the cheapest available to most fans, given the small swathe of Category 4 seats at the tournament – of $1,120.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to use dynamic pricing.