Officials in two US states are investigating FIFA following complaints that ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup may have breached consumer protection rules.
The United States is set to co-host the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, with matches scheduled across multiple cities.
On Tuesday, attorneys general in New York and New Jersey confirmed they have opened inquiries into the ticketing process, amid concerns that supporters faced unexpectedly high costs and potentially misleading sales practices.
The move follows reports from fans who say the tickets they ended up with were worse value than expected, either due to price hikes during checkout or changes to seating arrangements.
A key focus of the probes is the use of “variable pricing” — also referred to as dynamic or surge pricing — where costs rise as demand increases, similar to how ride-share fares can jump during busy periods.
New York and New Jersey are particularly central to the tournament plans, with MetLife Stadium expected to host eight matches, including the final.
Both states have issued subpoenas to FIFA seeking detailed information about how tickets were marketed and sold, including pricing systems and any communications shown to buyers.
Investigators are also looking at complaints about revised stadium seating maps, with some supporters alleging their seats were reassigned to sections farther from the pitch than originally indicated.
New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement shared with PA: “New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets.
“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.”
The two attorneys general are coordinating with the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection as the inquiries continue.
Authorities said the investigation is largely centered on matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where demand is expected to be especially intense.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport also took aim at the buying process, describing it as a ‘gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices’.
She said that while the state is proud to host games, it is not ‘an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors’.
Separately, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that 1,000 tickets — excluding the final — will be offered to New York City residents via a raffle, priced at $50 each.
The 2026 World Cup is due to begin on June 11, with opening matches taking place in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
MetLife Stadium’s first fixture is scheduled for June 13, when Brazil are set to play Morocco.