The president of Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, publicly criticized the amounts charged by Fifa for Copa of Mundo in 2026. In an interview with the newspaper New York Post, Trump stated that he would not pay US$1,000 (approximately R$5,600) for the cheapest ticket for the North American debut. The statement comes as the tournament, jointly hosted by USA, México and Canadá, faces strong pressure over ticket accessibility and the pricing strategy adopted by football’s governing body.
The president’s speech immediately had repercussions behind the scenes of the organization. Trump questioned Fifa’s justification for maintaining a price list that excludes the majority of fans. The position of the head of Executivo intensifies the public debate on the democratization of the biggest football event on the planet. Atualmente, the most exclusive sectors for the decision reach figures that significantly exceed the purchasing power of ordinary fans.
Valores stratospheric for the final in Nova York
The numbers circulating on the official ticket market reveal a marked disparity between the available categories. Enquanto common entrance fees already weigh heavily on the family budget, hospitality options reach unprecedented values in the history of the World Cup. The most luxurious package for the grand final, at MetLife Stadium, is set at US$35,000, equivalent to approximately R$198,000 per person.
The pricing structure reflects Fifa’s attempt to maximize revenue in a stadium that will host the world’s most traditional teams. MetLife Stadium will be the stage for clashes between powers from the initial phase, which drives demand. Entretanto, the financial barrier imposed has generated a climate of exclusivity that bothers the American middle class and sparked political reactions.
- Preço minimum for US debut: US$1,000 (R$5.6 thousand).
- Average Ticket for group stage: US$2,000 (R$11.2 thousand).
- Valor maximum VIP box: R$ 198 thousand per person.
- Total from MetLife confirmed games Stadium: 8 matches.
- Seleções guaranteed at headquarters: Brasil, França, Alemanha and Inglaterra.
Parlamentares Americans demand transparency from Fifa
Dissatisfaction with prices escalated to the legislative scope in Washington. Deputies Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone Jr. lead a formal charge movement against the management of Gianni Infantino, president of Fifa. Parliamentarians sent an open letter demanding detailed explanations about the pricing criteria and accuse the entity of purposely withholding batches of tickets to simulate market shortages.
Segundo the congressmen, this tactic would force the artificial valuation of entries in official and resale channels. Political pressure focuses on the transparency of the ticket distribution process. Lawmakers argue that a public event of this size should not segregate access by income level so aggressively. Fifa will have to answer technical questions about the gradual release of tickets and demand control mechanisms.
Infantino defends prices aligned with the American market
Gianni Infantino publicly defended the organization’s pricing policy during a recent event. The Swiss leader argued that the pricing follows the logic of sports entertainment in Estados Unidos, the country with the most developed market in the sector. Segundo itself, adapting to local consumption patterns is necessary to compete with other major shows.
Football’s highest entity sees the 2026 Copa as the biggest commercial product of its history. Infantino highlighted that investments in infrastructure and logistics are proportional to expected gains. Ele compared prices with major events like Super Bowl and concerts on a global scale. The organizing committee maintains the current table, claiming that demand continues to exceed the supply of seats in stadiums.
Preparativos on Nova York and economic impact
The city of Nova York is preparing for an invasion of tourists, including a large contingent of Brazilians. Seleção Brasileira’s confirmed presence in the city during the group stage keeps demand at high levels. Hotéis and transport services are already registering an increase in prices for the tournament period. The local government projects a billion-dollar financial return from holding the eight games planned in MetLife Stadium.
Apesar from Trump’s reviews, the expectation is that all sessions will be sold out. Security around the stadium will be reinforced to prevent scalpers and ensure order at the main entrances. The challenge for authorities now is to balance security with the experience of fans who paid large amounts for entry.
