New York and New Jersey opened a probe Wednesday into whether FIFA exploited football fans through World Cup ticket prices before the 2026 tournament in North America.
Prosecutors in both states said they would examine FIFA’s ticketing practices before the tournament starts June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said FIFA had turned World Cup ticket buying into “a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices.” She said her office would conduct a thorough investigation into FIFA’s conduct.
The probe will review reports that fans received misleading information about seat locations. It will also examine demand-based pricing, which raises ticket costs as sales increase.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said fans had waited years for the World Cup to arrive near New York and deserved fair access to affordable tickets. She said buyers should receive the seats they paid for and should not be manipulated into paying higher prices.
Much of the dispute centres on the eight matches scheduled at the New York Giants and Jets NFL stadium in New Jersey, including the July 19 final.
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Travel costs have also drawn criticism. Fans will pay $100 for train travel from New York to the stadium, compared with the usual $12.90 fare.
California authorities said in May that they had contacted FIFA over possible legal violations in ticket sales.
Football Supporters Europe called FIFA’s pricing structure “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal.” The group said ticket prices had put the tournament out of reach for many fans, while FIFA expects the event to help generate $13 billion.
President Donald Trump dismissed concerns about pricing on Wednesday. He said the World Cup was “amazing” and called it the most successful tournament FIFA had ever held in terms of ticket sales.
