FIFA risks refunds amid 2026 World Cup ticketing probe

Authorities in New York and New Jersey have opened a joint investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices amid accusations that the football governing body used unreasonable pricing and possibly misleading sales methods.

The state of New Jersey last week issued a subpoena to FIFA, demanding information and requesting a formal investigation into the ticket costs at MetLife Stadium, the venue selected to host the final on July 19, according to ESPN.

On May 27, New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport officially confirmed their joint investigation.

In a public statement, they highlighted that FIFA's ticket prices are significantly higher than those of any previous World Cup. This surge has raised suspicions of ticket supply manipulation and deceptive seating arrangements at the tournament.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (R) receives a symbolic World Cup ticket from FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Ottawa, Ontario, on Oct. 10, 2025. Photo by AP

California is also reportedly seeking clarification from FIFA, as they questioned the transparency of the seating charts during the ticket sales. Across these states, authorities will investigate whether fans were misled while purchasing tickets for the tournament, which is co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

FIFA has not yet issued an official comment regarding the ongoing investigations.

However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino recently drew attention after joking that fans who purchased final match tickets for over $2 million might receive a hot dog and a can of Coke personally delivered by him, a statement that fueled public frustration, BBC reported.

Sports lawyer Alexander Rojas told The Sun that FIFA cannot afford to take these legal developments lightly, as state attorneys general in the U.S. have considerable power regarding consumer protection.

Rojas noted that while FIFA is an international organization, it must strictly comply with domestic consumer protection laws when operating and selling products within the U.S. Because the World Cup final is being held across New York and New Jersey, it will be even more difficult for FIFA to avoid being investigated.

The 2026 World Cup is set to be the largest in history, featuring an expanded 48-team format for the first time. Organizers had previously heavily promoted the event as the "most accessible" tournament ever for fans.

However, controversy erupted over seating allocations. Numerous fans accused FIFA of altering seat positions between ticket categories after sales had opened, which prevented buyers from receiving the specific seats they initially expected to receive for their money.

A panoramic view of MetLife Stadium during the FIFA Club World Cup match between Fluminense and Chelsea on July 8, 2025. Photo by AP

New York consumer protection officials have warned that FIFA could be in violation of state law if these allegations of misleading ticketing acts are proven true. U.S. lawmakers are also demanding clarification regarding ticket sales and allocation methods.

Legal experts suggest the investigation could result in sanctions for the governing body. These penalties might include refunds, financial credits or requirements for future transparency in ticket allocation. They note that altering the seating arrangements this close to the tournament is highly unlikely, and financial compensation would be a more realistic scenario.

Analysts emphasize that the core of the investigation is not whether FIFA has the right to sell tickets at luxury price points. Instead, authorities are strictly focused on whether consumers were actively manipulated by misleading information or artificial scarcity.

Given the high stakes, analysts predict that FIFA will likely opt for a rapid financial settlement rather than enduring a prolonged legal dispute, aiming to protect its public image ahead of the biggest football tournament.