Ticket pricing scandal overshadows build-up to 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has yet to kick off, but the tournament is already proving unprecedented in several respects. Alongside heightened geopolitical tensions and the unique challenges of hosting the event across three countries, a new controversy has emerged over ticket prices, which critics say have reached record levels.

Authorities in the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into FIFA's ticketing practices, accusing football's governing body of potentially exploiting fans through what they describe as excessive pricing and misleading sales practices.

The two states have issued FIFA with a subpoena as part of a probe into allegations that some fans were misled about where they would be seated during matches at the tournament, which begins on June 11 and will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Investigators are also examining FIFA's use of demand-based pricing, a system that allows ticket prices to fluctuate according to factors such as real-time demand, ticket availability and the anticipated popularity of individual matches.

According to state officials, the approach has pushed ticket prices to levels that "far exceeded" those seen at any previous World Cup.

"FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices," Jennifer Davenport, attorney general for New Jersey, said in a statement. "It's an honour to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors."

Fan groups have also voiced growing frustration. The supporters' organisation Football Supporters Europe recently described World Cup tickets as "extortionate," arguing that prices are several times higher than those charged during the previous tournament in Qatar.

Concerns have also reached Capitol Hill. In a letter sent to FIFA last month, 70 U.S. lawmakers urged the organisation to lower ticket prices, warning that the current system risks turning the World Cup into "an exclusionary, profit-driven enterprise at the direct expense of fans, host communities, and public taxpayers".

Beyond pricing concerns, the investigation will examine complaints from supporters who say they received tickets in lower seating categories than those they purchased. Others claim that seating classifications were altered after tickets had already been sold, raising further questions about transparency in the ticketing process.

The dispute threatens to cast a shadow over preparations for the largest World Cup in history, which will feature 48 national teams and matches spread across three host countries. With millions expected to attend, scrutiny of FIFA's ticketing policies is likely to intensify as the tournament approaches.

By Nazrin Sadigova