US President Donald Trump says unprecedented ticket demand signals record-breaking global excitement ahead of football tournament kickoff in America
US President Donald Trump has predicted that the upcoming FIFA World Cup will be “the most successful” in the tournament’s history, pointing to what he described as unprecedented ticket demand and surging global interest ahead of the opening matches.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday local time, Trump said organisers had already reported record-breaking sales, suggesting the tournament was on course for historic success even before a ball has been kicked.
“It’s the most successful World Cup they’ve ever had,” Trump said. “They’ve never sold tickets at that level. They’ve never sold that many tickets so quickly.”
The President said he had spoken earlier in the day with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and was told that demand had far exceeded expectations, with global interest driving rapid ticket sales across multiple markets.
“I spoke to Gianni this morning,” Trump said. “He’s fantastic, and he’s the boss. He said there’s never been anything close to what’s happened.”
Trump’s comments were made in response to questions about the scale of international attention surrounding the tournament, which will be hosted across multiple venues in the United States and is expected to draw millions of fans, tourists and media representatives from around the world.
The President suggested the level of enthusiasm was particularly striking given football’s relatively modest profile compared with other major sports in the United States.
“You don’t think of soccer in this country,” he said. “It’s the most successful World Cup they’ve ever had.”
Officials and organisers have been preparing for years for what is expected to be one of the largest sporting events ever staged in North America, with extensive planning around transport, security, hospitality and infrastructure in host cities.
The tournament is also projected to generate billions in economic activity through tourism, accommodation, transport and associated services, as cities prepare for a major influx of international visitors over the course of the competition.
However, questions have been raised in some international quarters about potential travel disruptions and visa access for supporters travelling to the United States. Addressing concerns about whether fans from abroad might face difficulties entering the country, Trump said his administration was focused on ensuring genuine visitors would be able to attend the event.
“We’re going to make sure the right people come into our country,” the President said.
The World Cup, one of the most widely watched sporting events on the planet, is expected to be followed by a global television audience running into the billions, with organisers hoping to capitalise on rising demand for football in new and expanding markets.
Trump’s upbeat assessment comes as anticipation continues to build ahead of the tournament, which is being closely watched by both sporting bodies and commercial partners due to its scale and international reach.
While football has traditionally played a smaller role in the American sporting landscape compared with American football, basketball and baseball, organisers are hoping the event will mark a turning point in the sport’s popularity in the United States.
With preparations entering their final stages, attention is now turning to logistics, security and the smooth arrival of visiting teams and supporters as the countdown to kick-off continues.
The tournament is widely expected to be one of the most commercially significant sporting events ever hosted in the country, with long-term ambitions to expand football’s footprint across the American market.
