According to Marca, Donald Trump has voiced strong criticism regarding the “ridiculous” ticket prices for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, adding his voice to a growing chorus of concern over the tournament’s affordability for average fans. The event, set to be the largest in history with 48 national teams playing 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already facing scrutiny over its pricing strategy.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump reacted to reports of entry-level tickets for the U.S. men’s national team opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles approaching $1,000. “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,” Trump stated. He expressed disappointment at the prospect of ordinary Americans being priced out, adding, “If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed. I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.”
FIFA’s defense meets market reality
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has spent months defending the organization’s pricing strategy, arguing that attending major sporting events in America is inherently expensive. Infantino claimed it costs “at least $300” to attend a college sports game, a figure that has drawn skepticism. On the very day his comments were made, tickets for a New York Yankees game against the Texas Rangers were reportedly available for under $10 on secondary markets.
While some prices soar — one resale ticket for the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium was listed for nearly $2 million, prompting Infantino to joke that the buyer should “personally bring a hot dog and a Coke” — FIFA is also encountering challenges in other areas.
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Sales struggles and hotel woes
Despite FIFA officials estimating approximately 500 million ticket requests, the organization has reportedly struggled to sell tickets for many of the tournament’s 104 matches, particularly those outside of headline fixtures, according to The Athletic. Critics accuse FIFA of creating artificial scarcity by slowly releasing batches of “last-minute” tickets, contributing to market volatility.
The high prices and uncertain demand are also impacting the hospitality sector. A survey from the American Hotel & Lodging Association found that nearly 80 percent of hotels across the 11 U.S. host cities are performing below their initial World Cup booking expectations. This comes as some resale platforms have begun offering seats below FIFA’s official asking prices, suggesting a disconnect between FIFA’s ambitious pricing and the actual market demand for a significant portion of the tournament’s inventory.
Sources: www.marca.com, marca.com
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