President Donald Trump said he would not pay $1,000 to watch the United States men's national soccer team open its 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay, adding his voice to mounting criticism of FIFA's pricing strategy for the tournament.
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with Canada and Mexico. The U.S. team will begin Group D play on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Fans face ticket prices reaching $1,000 (£736) for that match, according to reports.
"I did not know that number," Trump told The New York Post when asked about the ticket cost. "I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you."
Trump also expressed concern about access 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. "I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics argue FIFA's tiered pricing model prioritizes profit over fan access. Unlike recent World Cups that used flat-rate group stage pricing, the 2026 tournament prices games based on the perceived popularity of participating teams.
Consumer advocacy groups and soccerfan organizations have called the $1,000 ticket price exclusionary. They note that the average American household income means such prices are out of reach for many working-class fans who make up much of the sport's domestic fanbase.
Additionally, FIFA's official resale platform charges a combined 30% fee—15% from buyers and 15% from sellers—for each transaction. Critics say this effectively prices middle-income families out of attending matches they cannot attend at original prices.
"This is what happens when a governing body treats fans as revenue sources rather than stakeholders in the sport," said fan rights advocates quoted in sports policy discussions, arguing that international tournaments should prioritize accessibility over profit maximization.
What the Right Is Saying
Market-oriented voices defend FIFA's pricing as standard practice for major sporting events. Supporters of the tiered model argue that premium events command premium prices in any market economy.
Defenders note that FIFA is a private international organization and sets ticket prices according to supply, demand, and tournament logistics. They point out that various pricing tiers exist across different matches, with some group stage games available at lower price points.
Some conservative commentators have argued that while high prices may disappoint fans, this reflects market realities rather than deliberate exclusion. "FIFA has every right to set prices for its product," wrote one sports business analyst. "Fans who cannot afford tickets can watch broadcast coverage or attend less expensive matches."
Others note that the United States successfully bid to host the World Cup knowing FIFA's commercial structures. Tournament organizers have emphasized the economic benefits of hosting, including tourism and infrastructure investment.
What the Numbers Show
The $1,000 ticket price for USA-Paraguay represents a significant departure from recent World Cup pricing models. In Qatar 2022 and Russia 2018, group stage tickets were priced at flat rates ranging from approximately $70 to $200 depending on match category.
FIFA's resale platform fee structure takes 15% from both buyers and sellers, totaling a 30% cut of each secondary market transaction. This is higher than many domestic sports leagues' resale fees in the United States.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams across 16 host cities in three countries—up from the 32-team format used since 1998. The expanded tournament structure increases total ticket inventory but also creates more variable demand across venues and matchups.
SoFi Stadium, where the USA will open its campaign, has a capacity exceeding 70,000 for soccer events. Ticket allocations typically reserve substantial blocks for FIFA, participating federations, sponsors, and hospitality partners, leaving fewer seats in general public sales.
The Bottom Line
Trump's comments place him alongside critics questioning whether tournament pricing aligns with the spirit of a World Cup hosted partly on American soil. His framing—focusing on accessibility for supporters who voted for him—connects economic policy concerns to his political base.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between FIFA's commercial interests and fan advocacy groups calling for more accessible pricing at major tournaments. The 2026 format marks the first World Cup with three co-hosts and an expanded field, creating new logistical and pricing complexities.
What happens next: Fans seeking USA match tickets through official channels will face a May application window for ticket ballots. Secondary market prices may fluctuate based on demand. FIFA has not announced changes to its pricing structure in response to criticism. Tournament organizers have emphasized that various price categories exist across all matches.