Former President Donald Trump stated in an interview with the New York Post that he would not pay the $1,000-plus ticket price for the United States' first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing concern that such costs would alienate lower-income fans. He emphasized the importance of accessibility for his supporters from areas like Queens and Brooklyn. Trump, who claims credit for bringing the World Cup to the US, noted that FIFA's pricing structure has drawn criticism from US lawmakers and fan groups, with Football Supporters Europe calling it a 'monumental betrayal.' FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently revealed that the organization received over 500 million ticket requests for the upcoming tournament, a stark contrast to the fewer than 50 million requests for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. While Infantino stated that 25 percent of group phase tickets will be priced under $300, the most expensive ticket for the 2026 World Cup is reportedly around $11,000, compared to $1,600 for the 2022 final.