U.S. President Donald Trump has criticized the ticket pricing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, labeling them “illogical.” His comments come as a significant blow to FIFA, ramping up the pressure on Gianni Infantino’s administration regarding its economic policies for the tournament hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Ticket Prices Skyrocket to $2 Million
The backlash intensified after some tickets on FIFA’s official resale platform reached a staggering $2 million. Generally, fans have been outraged since the initial price reveal, noting that costs for this edition are multiples higher than those of Qatar 2022. This price hike has raised concerns about stadium attendance for the first time in the tournament’s history.
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The Final: Tickets for the July final range between $2,030 and $6,370.
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Comparison: In Doha, final tickets cost between $206 and $1,607.
Trump’s Reaction: “I Won’t Buy Them”
In an interview with the New York Post, Trump expressed shock when informed of the prices for the U.S. National Team’s opening match.
“I didn’t know about that number! I’d certainly love to go, but frankly, I’m not paying that amount either,” the President stated.
The U.S. team, led by Mauricio Pochettino, is set to kick off their campaign on June 14 against Paraguay.
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Infantino Defends the Strategy
FIFA President Gianni Infantino justified the costs by citing the nature of the American entertainment market.
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Market Standards: Infantino argued that FIFA must apply market rates in the world’s most developed entertainment sector.
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Resale Concerns: He noted that if primary prices were too low, they would simply be resold at even higher markups.
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High Demand: Infantino concluded that despite the criticism, the fact that tickets double in price on the secondary market proves their true market value.
