What did Trump say about USMNT ticket prices?

Trump criticized World Cup ticket pricing—then said he’d “still wouldn’t pay”

President Donald Trump responded to concerns about the cost of tickets for the U.S. men’s national team’s World Cup opener against Paraguay in June by saying he “wouldn’t pay it either.” The remark was tied to the reported high price of tickets, which has drawn public attention after international governing body statements defending World Cup ticketing.

The immediate implication is political and cultural: World Cup matches are typically treated as major events with broad domestic interest, and high resale or face-value prices can become a flashpoint for U.S. fans who may feel priced out of watching the team.

Beyond the rhetoric, the broader ticket market also appears to be moving. Separate coverage indicated resale prices for many 2026 World Cup games—including the U.S. opener—have fallen in recent weeks, suggesting some easing in what fans pay on the secondary market.

This matters for the United States because World Cup participation affects merchandise demand, travel planning, and the visibility of the U.S. team internationally. When ticket affordability becomes a headline, it can influence fan sentiment and perception of how accessible major sports events are.

At the same time, it remains a question how the primary and secondary ticket markets will continue to balance as match dates approach and as fans decide whether to buy early or wait for prices to drop.

Overall, Trump’s comment added a high-profile political voice to an issue that has already been framed by sports stakeholders and fans as a test of affordability for major tournaments.