In a dramatic twist ahead of football’s biggest stage, FIFA is being hauled before U.S. prosecutors and forced to explain allegations that it deliberately artificially inflated ticket demand for the 2026 World Cup.

With the tournament kicking off in just two weeks — starting with the explosive opener between Mexico and South Africa — the international governing body is facing intense scrutiny over its controversial ticketing practices.

Prosecutors Strike Back

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport have issued a formal subpoena demanding answers from FIFA. The accusation? FIFA allegedly created a false sense of scarcity around tickets, misleading fans worldwide and driving prices through the roof.

According to the prosecutors, the manipulation became glaringly obvious when it was revealed that 86 out of 104 matches still had thousands of tickets available just 14 days before the tournament begins. Despite this reality, FIFA’s messaging painted a picture of overwhelming, frenzied demand — a tactic that conveniently pushed desperate fans to pay ever-higher prices on the secondary market.

Now, FIFA has been ordered to hand over all internal documents, communications, and data related to its ticketing strategy. So far, the organization has remained silent.

The Most Expensive World Cup in History

The 2026 tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is already shaping up to be the priciest World Cup ever. Group-stage tickets can cost up to $400, while the most exclusive premium packages and final tickets are listed for eye-watering sums exceeding $70,000.

For many fans, the dream of attending football’s greatest spectacle is quickly becoming financially impossible.

Trump Weighs In

Even former President Donald Trump has entered the conversation, expressing disbelief at the astronomical prices.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump said:

“I wouldn’t pay it! I’d love to be there, don’t get me wrong. But honestly, no, I wouldn’t pay that. If all the people who love Donald Trump couldn’t go, I’d be very disappointed. I want the people who voted for me to be able to go.”

His comments have resonated with many ordinary fans who feel priced out of an event that should belong to the people.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, what was supposed to be a celebration of global football is now overshadowed by controversy, greed allegations, and questions about whether FIFA has once again put profits over passion.

The clock is ticking — both for the tournament and for FIFA’s reputation.

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