Donald Trump says he would not shell out four figures to watch the United States play Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup, joining growing criticism over the tournament's aggressive ticket pricing strategy.
In a call with the New York Post, Trump expressed surprise at learning that entry-level seats for the American opener are priced at $1,120, calling the cost unjustifiable. "I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest," he said.
The pricing reflects FIFA's decision to adopt dynamic pricing for the first time in the tournament's nearly 100-year history. Under this model, ticket costs fluctuate based on demand, a practice already common across American sports and entertainment venues.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the approach a day before Trump's remarks, arguing that the organization must compete within the American entertainment market where high-demand events routinely command premium prices. He noted that tickets resold on secondary markets can exceed initial asking prices, creating an incentive to price conservatively at the outset.
Infantino's comparison of World Cup prices to college and professional sporting events drew swift pushback. His claim that fans cannot attend top-tier professional games for under $300 was challenged by multiple outlets as inaccurate.
Trump's concern centered on accessibility for his supporters. "If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can't go, I would be disappointed," he said, adding that he would prefer average fans could attend despite calling the tournament "an amazing success."
Author James Rodriguez: "Trump's right to call this out, but he's also missing the obvious: FIFA isn't trying to fill stadiums with everyday fans anymore, they're chasing corporate dollars and wealthy tourists."
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