Football supporters group files formal complaint against Fifa over World Cup tickets prices

Record ID: 2370692

  • Title: Football supporters group files formal complaint against Fifa over World Cup tickets prices
  • Date: 24th March 2026
  • Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (MARCH 24, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FOOTBALL SUPPORTERS EUROPE, RONAN EVAIN, SAYING: "We believe that the European Commission has a responsibility to send a signal to FIFA that that they're not in line with their obligations as a sports governing body, the obligation to ensure that everybody has access to sport, the obligat
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: canada fans fifa infantino mexico soccer tickets trump usa world cup
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: US
  • Topics: North America,Sport,World Cup
  • Reuters ID: LVA006704924032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: European soccer fans have lodged a formal complaint over the high cost of tickets for this summer's FIFA World Cup in North America.
    Football Supporters ​Europe (FSE) and the consumer rights organization Euroconsumers filed an 18-page ‌complaint on Tuesday with the European Commission in Brussels.
    They argue that ticket ⁠prices are significantly higher than at any previous World Cup. Tickets for ​the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 start ​at $4,185 -- seven times the cost of the cheapest ticket at the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
    The complaint accuses FIFA of engaging in "bait advertising," "uncontrolled" dynamic pricing, "pressure-selling tactics" and a ​lack of transparency about seat locations and refund policies.
    The allegation of bait advertising, which is illegal under European Union consumer laws, is a reference to FIFA's claim in October that group-stage ticket prices started at $60. ​However, after fans' groups ​across Europe complained ⁠about the lack of availability at that price, FIFA had to release more tickets at that price in ​December.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register