Kamal Ghorui
The head of Donald Trump’s World Cup taskforce has defended FIFA over the rising ticket prices for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Andrew Giuliani said the huge demand for tickets explains the high prices. The tournament will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, making it the biggest FIFA World Cup ever. However, many fans and political leaders have raised concerns about expensive tickets and confusing pricing systems.Supporters from different countries believe ordinary football fans are being pushed away from the tournament. Some tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium have reportedly reached nearly $11,000 for premium seats. There were also reports of resale tickets being listed for more than $1 million. Despite the criticism, Giuliani insisted the event would still benefit Americans through tourism, business growth, and fan events organized in host cities with government support.
Andrew Giuliani says FIFA World Cup 2026 will benefit American taxpayers
Andrew Giuliani defended FIFA’s pricing strategy by pointing to the massive demand for tickets. He explained to the US Sun that almost six million tickets have already been sold for the tournament, while the total number of tickets available is just under seven million. According to him, the strong interest from fans around the world naturally increases ticket prices for major matches.Giuliani also highlighted the role of President Donald Trump in helping fans who may not be able to afford stadium tickets. He explained that the administration approved a $625 million safety and security grant for host cities. The money will help organize fan festivals where supporters can gather and watch matches at a lower cost. He said the goal was to ensure that football fans could still enjoy the World Cup atmosphere even without entering stadiums.The World Cup 2026 is expected to cost the United States around $2 billion. Several host cities are worried about rising expenses linked to security, transportation, and fan zones. Some reports suggest cities could spend between $100 million and $200 million on operations during the tournament. Earlier this year, residents in Foxborough raised concerns after the town faced an $8 million security bill linked to the World Cup.Despite those concerns, Giuliani believes the United States will make major profits from hosting the tournament. He stated that America already has most of the infrastructure needed, unlike countries that spend billions building new stadiums. He added that the World Cup could generate nearly $30 billion in economic benefits through tourism, jobs, and international attention.
