Two weeks before the 2026 World Cup, FIFA faces legal scrutiny in the United States over its ticket sales. The states of New York and New Jersey have issued subpoenas demanding internal records on pricing and seat categories for matches at MetLife Stadium, including the July 19th final.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport allege fans were misled. The investigation centers on claims that buyers received worse seats than they paid for. FIFA's introduction of a new "Front Category" premium tier after the initial sale, and its new "variable pricing" model-which saw prices rise 25% for some matches-are also under scrutiny.
"No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats," James stated. Davenport added that buying a World Cup ticket has become a "gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices."
FIFA has not commented publicly. The probe adds to existing pressure, as a consumer complaint filed with the European Commission in March also accuses FIFA of abusing its monopoly and using extortionate pricing. A separate complaint highlights FIFA's 15% fee on its ticket resale marketplace as highly profitable for the non-profit organization, which projects $13 billion in revenue from this tournament.