Donald Trump has admitted that even he wouldn’t shell out the astronomical prices FIFA is demanding for tickets to this summer’s World Cup.
In the latest significant blow to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and his relentless promotion of the tournament across the US, Canada and Mexico, he appears to have lost some of his support from the Commander-in-Chief.
In an interview with the New York Post this week, Trump was asked about the exorbitant pricing, just hours after Infantino had brushed off rising criticism.
‘I did not know that number,’ the President said when told about the $1,000 get-in price for the USMNT’s opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.
‘I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.’
He then added: ‘I haven’t seen that, but I would have to take a look at it. If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it’s an amazing success.
Donald Trump has admitted he wouldn’t pay FIFA’s prices to attend this summer’s World Cup
Gianni Infantino has brushed off criticism of the exorbitant prices to attend matches in the US
‘I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.’
Just hours before Trump’s comments, Infantino had attempted to defend the costs of World Cup tickets, insisting – wrongly – that it costs at least $300 to attend a college game in America, and that you can’t see professional sport for less than that.
As of Thursday lunchtime, tickets were available for the Yankees’ game against the Texas Rangers for $8. A Knicks playoff ticket in Philadelphia on Friday night, meanwhile, will set you back $192 on SeatGeek at the time of writing.
Speaking at a conference earlier this week, Infantino was asked about a ticket for the final that had been listed on a resale website for $2 million.
In response, he joked that he would ‘personally bring a hot dog and a Coke’ to the buyer, to ensure they have ‘a great experience’ at the game at MetLife Stadium.
FIFA have estimated that there were 500 million ticket requests for the tournament, but prices appear to be dropping on resale sites as organizers continue to drip-feed ‘last-minute’ tickets a month out.
The World Cup begins next month, with 104 games spread across the US, Canada and Mexico
It is currently roughly $1,000 to attend the USMNT’s opening group game at SoFi Stadium
On Thursday, more tickets were released but FIFA’s critics continue to claim that the organization is attempting to artificially create a scarcity of supply.
The Athletic reports that FIFA is continuing to struggle to sell tickets to some of its 104 matches throughout June and July.
A survey released by the American Hotel & Lodging Association this week, meanwhile, found that nearly 80% of hotels across the 11 US host cities are running below their initial World Cup projections.
There are six weeks to go until the June 11 kickoff, and some tickets on resale websites like SeatGeek are available for less than the official price on FIFA’s own platform.
Infantino’s loss of support from Trump will come as a significant blow, especially after he awarded the president the FIFA Peace Prize at the draw back in December.
