FIFA face legal trouble with World Cup ticket pricing under investigation

FIFA are facing legal trouble with 2026 World Cup ticket prices now under investigation.

The tournament is set to begin on June 11 in Mexico City, but FIFA’s ticketing system has prompted investigations that could potentially lead to compensation for some supporters.

FIFA uses a dynamic pricing system which adjusts ticket costs based on demand. It’s commonly used in air travel and entertainment industries, but this is the first World Cup to use the model.

Many fans have complained that ticket prices have climbed to unprecedented levels, making it far more expensive to attend matches than in previous tournaments.

The issue has become serious enough for authorities in New York and New Jersey to launch joint investigations into FIFA’s ticket sales practices. 

Officials say they want to determine whether consumers were misled about pricing and seating arrangements during the purchasing process. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey counterpart Jennifer Davenport confirmed the launch of joint investigations, while California’s attorney general has also raised similar concerns.

The investigations come as FIFA prepares for the biggest World Cup in history. The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams instead of 32 and will be played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Organisers have promoted the event as the most accessible World Cup ever, but critics argue that soaring ticket costs have created the opposite impression.

Sports lawyer Alexander Rojas believes the investigations could have significant consequences for FIFA. 

He claims that once FIFA sells tickets to fans in the US, it becomes subject to state consumer protection laws, giving authorities the power to pursue legal action if they believe fans were treated unfairly. 

One of the main complaints involves seating categories. 

Some supporters claim they purchased premium tickets expecting the best available locations, only to discover that new seating classifications were later introduced. 

These changes have sparked plenty of confusion about the value of certain tickets, and consumer protection officials have warned that any evidence of misleading sales practices could result in penalties.