US prosecutors have issued a subpoena to FIFA regarding the high cost of World Cup tickets, stating that the event is "not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors."
FIFA is facing a subpoena from the states of New York and New Jersey as part of a probe into the pricing specifics of 2026 World Cup tickets and the veracity of seat locations promised to football fans.
The tournament, which is by far the most expensive World Cup in history, is set to begin in mid-June and will feature matches in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The event has already drawn widespread backlash over a range of political and economic issues, including what prosecutors condemned on Wednesday as "sky-high prices for seats."
What did prosecutors say about the investigation?
New York Attorney General Letitia James and her New Jersey counterpart Jennifer Davenport stated in a joint release that prices for the 2026 World Cup matches "far exceeded the prices for any previous World Cup competition."
"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 purchase will be the ones they receive."
The World Cup final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is the home venue of the New York Giants and Jets.
"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," Jennifer Davenport said.
How expensive is this World Cup?
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the organization's "dynamic pricing" as necessary due to the high standard prices for sports events in the US and the massive global demand. He also partially attributed the issue to US laws, which prevent a ban on ticket resale after purchase.
Nevertheless, all tickets except the lowest-cost options—which are relatively scarce and only available during the less significant group stages—are significantly more expensive than typical US sports admission fees.
Entry to the final in July is expected to cost ordinary fans several thousand dollars, which is up to five times more than attending the thrilling final in oil-rich Qatar in 2022.
Tickets for the last final held in the US in 1994 were roughly 20 times cheaper.
"It's an honor to host the World Cup, but the event is not an invitation to exploit our residents and visitors," Davenport said.
FIFA World Cup mired in controversy
The prosecutors' investigation is far from the first instance of scrutiny or scandal related to these costs.
Supporters groups have lodged a formal complaint with the EU regarding pricing.
Additional expenses, such as parking and train tickets to stadiums, have also made headlines.
FIFA has made several gestures, including the very limited release of lower-price tickets, in an effort to calm the situation, but with little to no success.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic
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