New York, New Jersey announce probe into FIFA’s World Cup ticketing practices

MANHATTAN (CN) — Officials in New York and New Jersey announced Wednesday that state prosecutors have subpoenaed FIFA to answer questions about the organization’s ticketing practices for upcoming 2026 World Cup soccer matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The governing body of the quadrennial soccer tournament, which will be hosted simultaneously by Mexico, the United States and Canada, faces accusations of gouging fans on ticket prices through adjustable dynamic pricing models and misleading buyers about where the stadium seat they were purchasing would be located.

“New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard, and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” New York Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James said in an announcement. “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.”

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined James’ prosecutorial office in the joint probe.

“It’s an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors,” Davenport said.

“Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated. But 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 hardworking New Jerseyans,” she said.

The investigation will examine whether and how FIFA’s ticket release schedule, public statements and other conduct may have impacted these prices, both officials said in their announcements.

FIFA declined to comment on the investigation, a spokesperson told Courthouse News Wednesday.

The attorneys general both encouraged state residents who have not received the World Cup tickets they paid for to report it to the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection or the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, respectively.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump told the New York Post, when asked about attending the U.S. team’s opening game against Paraguay, “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it, either, to be honest with you.”

“I know that is extremely successful,” Trump added. “Setting every record in the book. They’ve never had anything like it.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously said in January the demand for tickets for this year’s tournament was the equivalent of “1,000 years of World Cups at once,” and all 104 matches would be sold out.

MetLife Stadium, under the handle New York New Jersey Stadium, will host the first match of the cup on June 13 for Brazil — the most successful national team — taking on Morocco.

The final match of the 2026 World Cup will be held July 19 at MetLife Stadium, which is set to host the World Cup’s first-ever final halftime show, featuring Madonna, Shakira and BTS.

An online lottery for $50 tickets for New York City residents quickly closed Monday after the program reached the 50,000-person limit in just three minutes.

A recent study by the American Hotel & Lodging Association found U.S. hotel operators reporting this summer’s World Cup has not yet proven to be the economic boon promised by organizers, with close to 80% of respondents saying hotel bookings are tracking below initial forecasts.

The same study also found nearly two-thirds of New York City proprietors reporting softer-than-expected bookings that otherwise align with typical summer demand, with more than 60% of New York City operators pointing to international travel barriers and geopolitical concerns influencing the soft bookings.

Residents of Mexico’s capital city have been protesting the World Cup because they believe the government has been ignoring their needs in favor of tourism and displacement brought on by the massive event.

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