USMNT Icon Clint Dempsey Sounds Off on World Cup Ticket Prices

The 2026 World Cup ticket prices have been a topic of discussion that has caused lots of controversy among fans worldwide, and the high prices are leaving fans angry and frustrated.

FIFA has recently announced another set of ticket draws for fans to buy tickets with less than 50 days left until the World Cup.

The prices for games in the 2026 World Cup have priced out many fans across the world. Players and coaches have given their brief reaction to the ticket prices, including USMNT star Tim Weah, who agrees with the majority of fans frustrated with the high ticket prices.

Former USMNT player Clint Dempsey joins Weah and other fans on their concen with the ticket prices for this year's World Cup, which is on home soil for the USMNT.

On the Cooligans Podcast, Dempsey discussed the World Cup ticket prices this summer and defended the fans against these prices that many are unwilling to pay.

Clint Dempsey on the World Cup Tickets

Following reports that FIFA is struggling to sell out matches due to high ticket prices, Clint Dempsey talks about how the prices have stopped hard-working fans from attending the games this summer.

Dempsey said, "One, you can't price out the working class from games, right? Can't price out the people like that. I mean, when you think about soccer or football, you think about how all you need is a ball to go play, right? You can be barefooted, and all you need is a ball. And if you don't have the true people that are involved in the game, and it covers every culture, every demographic, but you can't price out the people that live it."

The USMNT opener in the World Cup against Paraguay has yet to be sold out, and thinks the performances in the friendly matches have been a factor as well.

Dempsey said, "You [USMNT] have to give the fans something to cheer about and a reason to go out and buy tickets also. So I think that's the two things that you're kind of dancing with."

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 12:57 PM.