FIFA is under investigation over skyrocketing World Cup 2026 ticket prices.

According to AP, FIFA is facing a new wave of criticism regarding soaring World Cup ticket prices and controversial ticketing methods, with many fans claiming they have been forced into worse choices than they initially desired.

In a joint statement, the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey, which will host eight World Cup matches, including the final, said they are investigating whether FIFA's ticketing practices violated "consumer protection laws."

Two attorneys general's offices have subpoenaed FIFA requesting information regarding a range of issues in the ticket distribution process, including FIFA's use of a "flexible pricing" model that caused ticket prices for most matches to skyrocket, as well as changes to stadium seating arrangements that resulted in many spectators being moved further away from the pitch than their original tickets indicated.

Prosecutors, in coordination with the New York City Department of Consumer and Labor Protection, said the focus of the investigation is now on ticket sales for games played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“New Yorkers have waited years for the World Cup to come to their home ground, and they deserve the opportunity to access tickets at reasonable prices,” declared New York Attorney General Letitia James. “No one should be manipulated into paying exorbitant prices for a seat, and fans must have the right to believe that the ticket they purchase will be for the seat they receive.”

Meanwhile, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport accused FIFA of turning World Cup ticket purchases into “a labyrinth of chaos, artificial scarcity, and exorbitant prices.” She stressed that New Jersey hosting the World Cup was a source of pride, but “this event is not an excuse to exploit and profit from residents and visitors.”

FIFA has not yet commented on the investigation.

The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11th with matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara (Mexico). The first match at the MetLife Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 82,000 seats, will be a clash between Brazil and Morocco on June 13th.

Currently, some tickets for the final match on July 19th at this stadium are being offered for sale at prices close to $33,000.

Last week, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that 1,000 tickets, or approximately 150 tickets for each MetLife game (excluding the final), would be distributed to city residents through a lottery at a price of $50 per ticket.

Previously, FIFA also released a number of tickets priced at $60 for all matches, distributing them through the national football federations of the participating teams.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/fifa-bi-dieu-tra-vi-gia-ve-world-cup-2026-tang-phi-ma-post1846917.tpo