FIFA is facing a subpoena from the states of New York and New Jersey as part of an investigation into pricing and seat location accuracy for the 2026 World Cup. In a joint statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport revealed that ticket prices for the tournament "far exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup."
FIFA has introduced "dynamic pricing" for the first time, adjusting ticket costs based on demand. This practice, along with complaints from fans who paid for specific seat locations but received less desirable spots, has drawn scrutiny from state officials. When questioned about the elevated prices since the initial sale in October, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organization by citing limited supply and global demand.
The attorneys general are seeking information on general pricing structures, location-based pricing, seat allocation, and other details related to the eight matches scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the July 19 final.
"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 purchased will be the ones they receive."
The investigation aims to address concerns for fans who feel misled about the final product. Davenport added, "FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices — all at the expense of consumers and hard-working New Jerseyans."
