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

Record ID: 2370694

  • 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: "The World Cup is a highly profitable event. Ticket prices only represent a small portion of the profit, and FIFA is eager to make as much money as possible and the appetite from the beast is only growing. The objective at the time of the
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  • 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: LVA008704924032026RP1
  • 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
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