The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have subpoenaed FIFA over its ticketing practices for the 2026 World Cup, following reports that fans did not receive the seats they paid for.
New York AG Letitia James and New Jersey AG Jennifer Davenport are specifically investigating the eight matches to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey-including the July 19 final. The probe covers complaints that fans who bought premium Category 1 tickets were assigned seats in lower-tier Category 2 sections.
"New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets," James said. "No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats."
Davenport added: "Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated. But FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices."
FIFA declined to comment on the investigation.
The 2026 tournament, hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, begins June 11. FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time, allowing ticket costs to fluctuate based on demand. The system has drawn backlash from fans and lawmakers, who say it prices out average attendees. In response, FIFA released a limited number of $60 seats in the upper corners of stadiums.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said at the recent Congress in Vancouver that demand is unprecedented, with 500 million requests already logged for the expanded 48-team event. "We've sold 100 percent of the inventory we've put on the market," he said.