Trump says World Cup ticket sales are ‘more than double’ previous records
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said early ticket sales for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup have already more than doubled previous records, touting what he described as unprecedented demand during remarks at the National Governors Association dinner.
Addressing governors and guests at the White House, Trump called the sales figures “unbelievable” and suggested the tournament is on track to surpass past editions by a wide margin.
Trump calls World Cup ticket numbers ‘unbelievable’
Speaking at the annual gathering, Trump pointed to the World Cup and the Summer Olympics as major events scheduled during his time in office.
“We have the World Cup and we have the summer Olympics. And the World Cup has gone out with their tickets and more than double,” he said.
“They’ve sold more than double what they’ve ever sold before, way early, and it’s unbelievable.”
Trump repeated that organizers had just updated him on the numbers, describing the early demand as “really, really special.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It will mark the first time the tournament features an expanded 48-team format, increasing the total number of matches and host cities across North America.
Trump links sporting events to first-term negotiations
During his remarks, Trump also reflected on his role in securing major international sporting events for the United States during his first term.
“But I was the one that got the Olympics, and I was the one that got the World Cup,” he told attendees.
Los Angeles was awarded the 2028 Summer Olympics during Trump’s presidency, while the United States-led North American bid secured the 2026 World Cup in 2018.
Trump added that the back-to-back staging of the World Cup and Olympics would mark an extraordinary period for the country. He also repeated his claim that the 2020 election was “rigged,” saying he had expected to preside over both events during what he described as a second term.
Preparations underway across host cities
With multiple US cities set to host matches, planning is underway at the federal, state, and local levels. Officials are coordinating on security, infrastructure, and logistics as anticipation builds for what is expected to be the largest World Cup in history.
Organizers have projected strong demand due to the expanded format and the scale of the tournament. If sales continue at the pace Trump described, the event could generate significant economic activity and global attention for host communities nationwide.
