Trump was presented with a ceremonial ticket numbered 45/47 for the MetLife Stadium Final. The question remains: why was Donald Trump chosen to receive the first ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
In a significant diplomatic and sporting milestone, FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented United States President Donald Trump with the first ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final during a special ceremony at the White House on August 22, 2025. The historic presentation marked the beginning of ticket sales for what promises to be the largest World Cup in football history.
The ceremonial ticket carries special significance with its unique numbering – 45/47, Row 1, Seat 1 – representing Trump’s positions as both the 45th and 47th President of the United States. The ticket is for the World Cup final scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA President Infantino emphasized the symbolic importance of the moment, stating: “It’s of course row one, seat one… it’s ticket number 45/47,” as he handed over the prestigious ticket to President Trump. The ceremony took place in the Oval Office, where Trump also had the opportunity to hold the actual FIFA World Cup trophy.
World Cup Draw Announcement
During the same White House ceremony, President Trump announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.. This draw will determine the group stage matchups for all 48 participating teams in the expanded tournament format.
“It’s a tremendous honor to bring the global event and this incredible group of people and these unbelievable athletes, the best athletes in the world, to the cultural center of our nation’s capital,” Trump stated during the announcement.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Sales
The ticket prices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been announced, and tickets will be available on the official site. The tournament will feature 48 qualified teams and 16 stadium venues.
For the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, FIFA confirmed that general ticket sales for all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup will officially begin on September 10, 2025. This will mark the start of the first phase of ticket sales, with multiple phases planned leading up to the tournament.
The tournament will feature an unprecedented 48 teams competing across 16 venues in three host countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This expansion represents the largest World Cup format in the tournament’s history.
Why did Donald Trump receive the first 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket?
The 2026 World Cup will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the opening match scheduled at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium, which has a capacity of 82,500 and will be referred to as “New York New Jersey Stadium” during the tournament due to FIFA’s sponsorship policies.
President Trump highlighted the significant economic benefits expected from the tournament, citing FIFA data that projects over $30 billion in economic impact for the U.S. economy and the creation of 185,000 American jobs. An estimated six million World Cup fans are expected to travel to North American host cities, with an additional six billion viewers watching from home.
The ceremonial ticket presentation underscores the growing relationship between FIFA and the Trump administration, with Infantino having made multiple visits to the White House and Trump attending the recent FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
As the countdown to the 2026 World Cup continues, the presentation of the first final ticket marks a significant milestone in preparations for what FIFA describes as “the largest and most extraordinary sporting event ever”.
