US President Donald Trump has sparked a new debate over ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing them as excessively high and not aligned with what ordinary fans can afford.
Speaking in an interview with the media, Trump said he does not understand why the tickets are being sold at such high prices, stressing that even he personally would not be willing to pay that amount to attend matches.
“I wouldn’t be able to pay those prices, honestly,” Trump was quoted as saying, a remark that has triggered wide discussion about the realism of the tournament’s pricing.
The 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has faced criticism from fans and football stakeholders over its pricing system, known as dynamic pricing, where ticket prices fluctuate based on demand.
According to various reports, some early-stage tickets have been sold for more than $1,000, while major matches are expected to cost several thousand dollars, raising concerns that ordinary fans may be priced out of attending.
FIFA has defended the system, saying the prices reflect the value of the event and the global demand for the tournament, which is expected to break attendance records.
As the debate continues, various football stakeholders have called on FIFA to review the pricing structure to ensure more fans can afford to attend one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to begin in June 2026, promising huge global excitement but also facing growing scrutiny over ticket affordability.
