With days to go before the 2026 World Cup begins, FIFA’s promise of a sold‑out tournament is collapsing.
Thousands of seats remain unsold, prices are plunging, and US authorities are investigating claims of inflated costs and misleading practices.
Independent trackers show tens of thousands of tickets still available, especially for lower‑profile matches, with resale prices far below face value. Even host nation fixtures are overpriced, leaving many seats empty.
The attorneys general of New York and New Jersey have subpoenaed FIFA, accusing it of secrecy and unfair pricing. Meanwhile, sudden shifts in ticket availability between FIFA’s site and platforms like SeatGeek have fueled suspicion that inventory is being offloaded.
High‑demand games featuring Argentina, Brazil, and England are expected to sell out, but the governing body now faces a credibility crisis as fans balk at paying steep prices for less popular fixtures.
