U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed surprise at the high cost of tickets for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, stating that he might refrain from purchasing them due to their steep prices. Pointing specifically to a match between the U.S. and Paraguay priced at $1,000, the American leader noted: "I didn’t think it would be that expensive. Of course, I’d watch the game, but I wouldn’t buy a ticket for that much money."

The FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, hosted across three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While official ticket prices range broadly from $100 to $6,370, premium categories and resale markets have seen costs skyrocket. The New York Times and other outlets report that the scale of this tournament has led to unprecedented demand and a subsequent shift in pricing strategies.

According to media reports, FIFA has significantly increased the price for the final match, which will be held on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tickets for the highly anticipated final have reached a staggering $32,970 in certain categories. This sharp increase, reportedly triple the initial estimations for top-tier access, has sparked debate regarding the accessibility of the world's most popular sporting event for the general public.