world-economy

New York, New Jersey Launch Probe Into FIFA World Cup Ticket Pricing

Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey have opened an investigation into FIFA's ticket sales practices for the 2026 World Cup. The probe cites concerns over sharply elevated prices for the tournament taking place across the United States, Mexico and Canada this summer.

FIFA introduced dynamic pricing for the first time, driving costs significantly higher than previous tournaments. Final match tickets in New Jersey on July 19 climbed from an initial $6,730 to $10,990 in recent sales windows — substantially above the roughly $1,600 maximum for 2022 World Cup finals tickets in Qatar.

The price increases have sparked widespread public backlash. Regulators are examining FIFA's ticket allocation methods and whether sales tactics have artificially inflated demand. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing as an adaptation to the North American market.