Story perspectives

Trump Refuses Paying $1,120-$4,105 Opening Match Tickets

5/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will not pay for tickets to the opening match in Los Angeles.
He told the New York Post that seats for the June 12 U.S.–Paraguay game cost $1,120 to $4,105, warning that supporters from Queens and Brooklyn may not afford them.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, noting 25 percent of tickets under $300, five million sold, 500 million requests, and resale listings near $2.3 million for final-match seats.

History

Historical Context

FIFA’s July 4, 1988 decision to give the United States the 1994 World Cup produced record attendance of 3,587,538 (average 68,991 per match) and spurred the launch of Major League Soccer in 1993. President Donald Trump’s refusal to fund tickets for the June 12 U.S.–Paraguay game shows how high ticket prices can again become a political flashpoint.

1 of 2

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will not pay for tickets to the opening match in Los Angeles.
He told the New York Post that seats for the June 12 U.S.–Paraguay game cost $1,120 to $4,105, warning that supporters from Queens and Brooklyn may not afford them.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, noting 25 percent of tickets under $300, five million sold, 500 million requests, and resale listings near $2.3 million for final-match seats.

1 / 2