Andrew Giuliani has defended the rising ticket prices for the World Cup, suggesting that the spike is a reflection of high demand. His comments followed President Trump’s statement to the Post, where he expressed reluctance to spend over $1,000 for the USA’s opening match next month.
“We view FIFA as a private entity, and honestly, we aren’t in favor of price controls,” Giuliani, who heads the Trump administration’s 2026 World Cup Task Force, mentioned in an interview with the Financial Times.
“This is essentially how dynamic pricing works,” he added.
Giuliani spoke out after President Trump admitted, in a recent exclusive interview, that he wouldn’t want to pay a thousand dollars or more to see the U.S. men’s national team face Paraguay in their World Cup opener.
The increasing anger over ticket prices is palpable as the World Cup approaches; it’s set to be hosted in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico starting in June.
For instance, the most affordable ticket for the initial game between the U.S. and Paraguay on June 12 at California’s SoFi Stadium was listed at $1,120 via FIFA’s official sales channel.
And it gets pricier from there.
According to recent reports, tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey started at around $5,785, with premium options reaching as high as $10,990. Some tickets for the finals were reportedly sold for as much as $32,970 on secondary markets.
Resale platforms are aggressively pricing their tickets as well, with the lowest resale prices for the World Cup finals hovering between $7,000 and $9,000.
FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing—where algorithms adjust ticket costs based on demand—has stirred up strong reactions from soccer fans, as high-profile match prices can escalate into the thousands.
Giuliani, however, contends that these prices simply demonstrate how much interest there is in the World Cup and the appeal of hosting it in the United States.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended this pricing approach, claiming it mirrors the realities of the American entertainment market.
“We must consider the market,” Infantino stated at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. “We’re in the leading entertainment market globally, so market rates need to be applied.”
He argued that lowering prices artificially could encourage scalping and the burgeoning secondary market.
Giuliani echoed these sentiments, stating that fans unable to attend games can find alternative experiences through public viewing areas and FIFA Fan Festivals in various cities.
He highlighted the planned low-cost or free live-viewing events in the host cities.
Officials have also sought to alleviate worries that President Trump’s strict immigration policies might keep international visitors away from the tournament.
“Anyone in the U.S. legally has nothing to fear, whether during the World Cup or at any other time,” Giuliani told the Financial Times.
He emphasized that visa processing is moving ahead smoothly and reported that over 5 million travel authorizations had been handled for attendees coming from 19 participating countries between October 2025 and March.
Waiting times for travelers from countries like Argentina and Brazil have improved significantly, now under “two weeks,” according to Giuliani.
“The U.S. wants to welcome those coming here legally to enjoy the World Cup,” he said. “This is a unique chance to highlight America’s exceptionalism during its first 250 years.”
By late April, Giuliani stated that over 5 million World Cup tickets had already been sold.
