FIFA has been under investigation by US authorities over the way it sold tickets for the 2026 World Cup, following allegations of artificially inflating prices and defrauding fans.
The attorneys general of the states of New York and New Jersey have launched a formal investigation into the world soccer organization, seeking internal documents and explanations about ticket sales practices.
Authorities claim that FIFA has created "false shortages" and confusion to push fans to pay much higher prices.
According to investigators, fans were also misled about seat locations, while the dynamic pricing model is suspected of increasing the cost of tickets for 90 of the tournament's 104 matches by an average of 34 percent. This could make the 2026 World Cup the most expensive in history.
New York Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Samuel Levine said reports of "deceptive behavior" are troubling and fans deserve transparency and fairness when purchasing tickets.
New York Attorney General Letitia James also criticized FIFA, stressing that local residents should not be excluded from the event due to high prices.
The investigation is also reinforced by the fact that, despite claims of extraordinary demand, tickets at the official price continue to be available for most matches.
In addition to the tickets, there has also been criticism of the transportation costs. Initially, the price of the train from Manhattan to MetLife Stadium was set at $150, much higher than the normal fare of about $13. After public backlash, the price was reduced to $98, but it still remains too high for fans. /GazetaExpress/
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