FIFA backs Trump, defends ticket prices ahead of World Cup kick-off

By Lawrence Agbo
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway across North America, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended both the tournament’s ticket pricing structure and the role played by U.S. President Donald Trump in helping bring the competition to the United States.
Speaking in Mexico City on the eve of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa, Infantino dismissed criticism surrounding the cost of tickets and visa-related controversies that have overshadowed preparations for football’s biggest event.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, is the largest World Cup ever staged, featuring 48 teams and running until the final in New J...