Officials in the US states of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into the sale of tickets for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, amid growing complaints over soaring prices and alleged deceptive sales practices.
Attorneys general in both states announced Wednesday that they will examine whether FIFA engaged in unfair or exploitative conduct while selling tickets for the tournament, which begins on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport accused FIFA of creating a ticket-buying system filled with confusion and artificial scarcity.
“FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices,” Davenport said in a statement.
She added that authorities are committed to conducting a full investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices, including allegations that fans were misled about seat availability and locations, while prices surged due to aggressive demand-based pricing models.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said football supporters deserved fair and transparent access to tickets.
“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” James said.
“No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive,” she added.
Much of the backlash has centered around the eight World Cup matches scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets, including the tournament final on July 19.
Fans have also criticized transportation costs linked to the event, including reports that train fares from New York City to the stadium could rise to about US$100 during the tournament — significantly higher than the regular fare.
The scrutiny follows similar concerns raised earlier this year in California, where authorities reportedly contacted FIFA regarding possible legal violations tied to ticket sales.
Supporters’ organization Football Supporters Europe has described the World Cup pricing structure as “extortionate” and “a monumental betrayal,” arguing that many ordinary fans are being priced out of attending the global sporting event.
The organization noted that FIFA is expected to generate approximately US$13 billion from the tournament.
Despite the criticism, President Donald Trump defended the event and its ticket sales during remarks on Wednesday.
“The World Cup is great. It’s the most successful they’ve ever had, ticket-wise. They’ve never had anything that sold so quickly,” Trump said.
