Megan Rapinoe’s Instagram promotion of FIFA hospitality tickets has triggered fierce backlash from fans who say the prices are pushing Americans out of the World Cup just weeks before kick-off.
For many Americans, the World Cup is arriving with a familiar bitter taste: tickets that feel out of reach. And for some of Megan Rapinoe’s most loyal followers, that frustration snapped into anger after she promoted FIFA’s hospitality packages on Instagram.
The 40-year-old US soccer icon shared a video this week encouraging fans to buy hospitality tickets ahead of next month’s tournament. “With hospitality, you get a guaranteed ticket with a premium seat,” Rapinoe said. “You get to experience the best of the beautiful game.”
But with the tournament now weeks away, criticism quickly spread across the United States—especially because many fans say FIFA’s standard prices have already priced them out. Hospitality, they argued, is simply the more expensive route.
On FIFA’s website, a VIP ticket for Qatar vs Switzerland on June 13 is listed at $2,100. A “premium seat” for the USA’s second game—against Australia in Seattle, a city where Rapinoe spent a large part of her career—is priced at $2,650. Brazil vs Haiti is listed at $2,800.
As those numbers circulated, the tone in the comments turned personal. “Sad you are doing this Megan. They have out priced all the fans,” one follower wrote. Another said: “Rapinoe a Shill for FIFA, how the mighty have fallen.”
One user pointed directly at affordability: “Too bad only the 1% can afford it.” Another added: “Too expensive for normal working people.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to social media. Even President Trump said he believes the tickets are too expensive. Last month, he said the $1,000 ticket to watch USA’s opening game against Paraguay in Los Angeles is too much. “I did not know that number,” Trump told the New York Post. “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”.
The criticism arrives at a tense moment in Rapinoe’s public life. It comes just a month after she announced her split from her fiancee. former basketball player Sue Bird. after almost ten years together. The couple had been dating for nearly a decade after first meeting backstage at a photoshoot for the 2016 Rio Olympics. They became engaged in October 2020, but never tied the knot.
In a statement last month, Rapinoe said, “There really is no smooth or easy way to share this news. After a lot of thought. we’ve made the decision to separate as a couple.” She continued: “This hasn’t been an easy decision. but it’s one we’ve made together. with so much love. respect. and care for each other.”.
Rapinoe added that the pair had “shared a whole life over the last decade. through big moments and in quiet ones. ” and that “that is something we’ll always carry with us.” She also said they are “so grateful to this incredible community that has held us up. welcomed us in. and supported us exactly as we are. ” and noted that “so many of you have reminded us. again and again. why loving out loud matters.”.
The former couple also relaunched their podcast, “A Touch More,” in summer 2024, covering women’s sports and the culture around it. After the split, they confirmed that they would no longer be recording the show together.
Now, with Rapinoe spotlighting hospitality tickets at prices fans call extreme, the focus has shifted again—from her personal life to what many believe should be a more accessible World Cup experience.
Megan Rapinoe Sue Bird FIFA World Cup tickets hospitality tickets USA vs Australia Qatar vs Switzerland Brazil vs Haiti backlash
$2,650 for a seat is absolutely insane.
I didn’t even know Rapinoe was promoting tickets like that… but yeah, if the prices are this crazy then what’s the point. People are working jobs and FIFA out here acting like everybody has money for “hospitality.”
So wait, she’s mad at Americans? Like the article says she promoted it on Instagram so she’s basically responsible for FIFA setting prices? That seems like a stretch. Also Trump bringing it up doesn’t mean anything unless he’s gonna do something about it, which he won’t.
Honestly all this just proves sports are for rich people now. Hospitality sounds like some scam marketing term, like you pay extra just to sit closer or get “guaranteed” even though the regular tickets are already gone. And why is Seattle even priced like it’s some luxury hotel?? Everyone knows the best way is cheaper last minute tickets but I guess FIFA doesn’t do that anymore.