FIFA under investigation by NY and NJ prosecutors over 2026 World Cup ticket sales

State prosecutors in New York and New Jersey have initiated an investigation into FIFA's ticket sales procedures for the eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup scheduled to be held at MetLife Stadium, including the tournament final. The joint announcement detailed requests for documentation from FIFA in response to media reports.

These reports cite fans who claim they were deceived regarding the location of their purchased seats. Allegations also suggest actions that may have contributed to inflated ticket prices, such as public statements made by FIFA. Investigators from New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection are collecting complaints about changes in seating categories after the initial stadium division and during the sales period. These changes reportedly created new, more desirable, and expensive zones.

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The investigation will examine whether FIFA's ticket release schedule, its public statements, and other conduct impacted prices, and how

Fans who bought tickets before these new zones were established allegedly found themselves excluded from those seats and were instead assigned less desirable locations, including those far from the field or behind the goals. Other fans reported not receiving tickets corresponding to the category they paid for. The investigation will also scrutinize ticket pricing, which is said to have exceeded previous World Cups due to a "variable pricing" method that adjusts to demand, with FIFA releasing tickets in phases over several months.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport expressed their commitment to protecting consumers in both states. They criticized what they termed the "manipulation" and "exploitation" of residents and visitors attending the tournament. According to the portal SeatPick.com, the average price for tickets to the eight matches at MetLife Stadium is currently $2,790.

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manipulation and exploitation