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The sky-high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup have put FIFA under investigation in the United States. The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into ticket sales practices and changes made to seating maps at MetLife Stadium, where some of the tournament's most important matches will be held.
On Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James and her New Jersey counterpart Jennifer Davenport announced that they have requested documentation from FIFA organizers about how the awards and distribution of stadium seats were managed.
According to authorities, there are suspicions that fans may have been deceived regarding the seats they had purchased, while public statements and FIFA publications may have influenced the increase in ticket prices.
The investigation focuses on changes made to the seating structure at MetLife Stadium after ticket sales began. Originally, the stadium was divided into four categories, with the lower-numbered categories considered more favorable for spectators.
However, according to prosecutors, FIFA then created “new zones” by adding front sections to each category. Fans allege that ticket buyers for these new zones did not receive the seats they were promised and were moved to less favorable positions, including seats away from the pitch or behind the goals.
According to reports by the New York Times, prices for group stage matches in the US started at $60 for a limited number of tickets and reached over $600. While for the final, nominally priced tickets went up to $10,990.
Fan dissatisfaction has been further compounded by the resale market, where some tickets for the final have been offered for up to $2 million.
In response to the criticism, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced last week an initiative to offer $50 tickets to city residents.
" Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated ," said New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport.
" But FIFA has turned buying a World Cup ticket into a maelstrom of confusion, false scarcity and exorbitant prices ," she added.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also criticized the situation, stressing that citizens "deserve a fair opportunity for affordable tickets" and that "fans should be able to trust that the tickets they buy will be the ones they get."
FIFA has not yet officially responded to CNN's request for comment on the investigation. However, the organization previously stated that its "award strategy includes a wide range of awards and categories, reflecting market demand for each match."
Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also requested information from FIFA to verify whether California state laws were violated during the ticket sales process.
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, with MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosting eight matches, including the grand final on July 19.
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