James and Davenport subpoena FIFA over World Cup ticket pricing

James and Davenport subpoena FIFA over World Cup ticket pricing

The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have opened a joint investigation into FIFA’s pricing and sales practices for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, issuing subpoenas to the governing body as part of the probe. New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced the action, citing consumer complaints about misleading seat location information and prices widely reported to exceed $1,000 per ticket.

In a statement, Davenport described the ticket-buying process as “a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices,” adding that the situation came “at the expense of consumers and hardworking New Jerseyans.” The joint investigation reflects the geographic stakes for both states: several World Cup matches, including the final scheduled for July 19, are set to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, placing the venue and its surrounding ticket market squarely within both jurisdictions.

Concerns over World Cup ticket costs have drawn attention beyond the two state offices. President Donald Trump earlier this month publicly expressed surprise at the reported price levels, saying he would not pay them himself. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to open on June 11.

FIFA has not publicly responded to the subpoenas, and the scope or timeline of the investigation has not been disclosed by either attorney general’s office. The probe adds regulatory pressure to the federation as the tournament approaches, with consumer protection questions now formally before two of the host nation’s most populous states.