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FIFA’s ticketing process for the 2026 World Cup is set to come under scrutiny from top legal officials in the United States.

The Attorneys General of New York and New Jersey have demanded that FIFA respond to claims of “artificially inflating prices” and “misleading fans” regarding match ticket sales. The world football governing body has been issued a subpoena to provide detailed information on its ticketing practices.

Reports suggest that fans may have been misinformed about the actual seat locations for which they were paying, while FIFA’s own announcements and ticket release strategies might have driven prices up significantly.

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and New York Attorney General Letitia James have specifically asked for data related to ticketing for eight World Cup matches being hosted in New Jersey. These include England’s group stage clash with Panama on June 27 and the World Cup final scheduled for July 19.

Davenport stated, “Being transparent about ticket sales should not be difficult.”

She added, “FIFA has turned the process of purchasing a World Cup ticket into a maze of confusion, false scarcity, and exorbitant pricing — all at the cost of consumers and hardworking people in New Jersey. We are committed to a thorough investigation of FIFA’s actions, and we are proud to partner with Attorney General James to protect our consumers.”

England and Panama will meet at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 27, marking a rematch of their 2018 World Cup group encounter.

“Hosting the World Cup is an honour,” Davenport said, “but it should not serve as an excuse to take advantage of our residents and visitors.”

Fans have reported feeling “misled” about seat locations, citing the introduction of more expensive ‘front’ category tickets released after the initial sales as an example of deceptive practices.

It is further alleged that FIFA’s use of variable pricing, influenced by demand and phased ticket releases, allowed the organisation to raise ticket prices for approximately 90 out of 104 matches by an average of 34 per cent.

The investigation aims to determine whether FIFA’s ticket release schedule and related public statements contributed to these price increases.

James commented, “New Yorkers have waited years for the World Cup to arrive in their backyard, and they deserve a fair chance to buy affordable tickets. No one should be manipulated into paying inflated prices, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase are exactly what they receive. I appreciate Attorney General Davenport’s partnership in seeking answers from FIFA and safeguarding our states’ consumers.”

New Jersey residents who have not received the World Cup tickets they paid for are being urged to file a complaint through the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs website.