“FIFA under investigation for exorbitant prices and misleading locations.”

A FIFA is under a rigorous investigation in the United States due to its ticket sales practices for the 2026 World Cup, raising serious allegations of price manipulation and deception of fans. The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have demanded formal answers from the governing body of world football, following reports that ticket prices were “artificially inflated” and that fans were “misled” regarding the location of seats in the stadiums.

A subpoena has been issued, requiring FIFA to provide detailed documentation on ticket sales, amid reports of a systematic practice of price increases, as well as public statements that may have contributed to the escalation of costs. Jennifer Davenport, the attorney general of New Jersey, and Letitia James, her counterpart in New York, focused their demands on tickets for eight World Cup matches scheduled in New Jersey, including the England vs. Panama match on June 27 and the final of the tournament on July 19.

Davenport emphasized the outrage over what she described as “a confusing obstacle course, false signals of scarcity, and exorbitant prices” imposed on consumers, particularly residents of New Jersey. The attorney general also stated: “We are committed to a thorough investigation of FIFA’s conduct and proud to join efforts with Attorney General James in defending our consumers. Hosting the World Cup is an honor, but it is not a pretext to exploit our residents and visitors.”

Fans reported feeling “tricked” regarding the location of their seats, with FIFA subsequently releasing ‘front-row’ tickets at significantly higher prices in an attempt to capitalize further on demand. Additionally, the issue at hand involves the practice of variable pricing throughout the various sales phases, influenced by demand, which has allowed FIFA to increase prices for approximately 90 of the 104 scheduled matches, with an average rise of 34%.

The investigation will also determine how the ticket release schedule and FIFA’s public statements influenced this price escalation and public perception. Letitia James emphasized: “New Yorkers have waited for years to see the World Cup in their territory and deserve a fair opportunity to purchase tickets at affordable prices. No one should be manipulated into paying exorbitant amounts for seats, and fans have the right to trust that the tickets they buy correspond exactly to their seats.”

This controversy casts a concerning shadow over the organization of the World Cup in the United States, placing pressure on FIFA to ensure transparency and fairness in access to one of the biggest events in world football. The investigation promises to reveal the extent to which the organization may have prioritized profit at the expense of fan trust.

This article first appeared in [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).