NEW YORK — FIFA's governance and business practices are facing mounting legal scrutiny as the 2026 World Cup enters its final weeks, with state, national and European authorities examining the organization's ticketing conduct and broader accountability structures.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport subpoenaed FIFA in late May, seeking documents on ticketing practices for eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the July 19 final. According to a joint statement from the two offices, FIFA raised prices for more than 90 of the tournament's 104 matches between October 2025 and April 2026, with the three main ticket categories rising by an average of 34 percent. The subpoenas also seek information on whether fans were misled about seat locations after FIFA introduced new "Front Category" seating zones following initial sales.
"Being honest about ticket sales is not complicated," Davenport said in the statement announcing the investigation. James said fans "should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive." FIFA has not publicly responded to the subpoenas, according to the attorneys general's offices.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent a separate letter to FIFA in April requesting information on ticket marketing and seat assignment for matches held in that state, citing potentially misleading practices. In March, advocacy groups Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers filed a complaint with the European Commission alleging FIFA abused a dominant market position in ticket sales, in violation of European Union competition law, according to the complaint. FIFA had not issued a public response to the complaint as of early July, the groups said.
Legal scholars have also raised broader governance questions. At a University of Houston Law Center symposium in March examining FIFA's cross-border legal responsibilities, researchers said the organization's human rights commitments have outpaced its enforcement mechanisms. "Global sport does not suffer from a lack of human rights commitments. It suffers from a lack of human rights governance," said one researcher who studies human rights at major sporting events, according to the university's account of the event.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the organization's ticket pricing, saying it reflects adaptation to North American market conditions. He has said the tournament could generate more than $11 billion in revenue for FIFA, according to prior public remarks.
The New York and New Jersey investigation remains active, with both offices continuing to collect fan complaints through their consumer protection divisions. No court proceedings or enforcement actions had been announced as of July 4.
