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The Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group and the Euroconsumers organisation have filed a formal complaint with the European Commission against FIFA, alleging “excessive and exploitative” ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, accuses the global governing body of abusing its monopoly position to impose unfair purchasing conditions on fans.
Supporters argue that FIFA’s pricing strategy for the upcoming tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico creates a “private luxury” out of a universal passion, placing an undue financial burden on millions of European fans.
The core of the complaint highlights a staggering increase in costs compared to previous tournaments.
FSE points out that the cheapest available tickets for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium start at $4,185—more than seven times the cost of the most affordable final ticket for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Critics also condemned FIFA’s use of “dynamic pricing,” a model common in North America where prices fluctuate based on demand without a set cap.
This lack of transparency has reportedly seen some ticket prices surge by 25% between sales phases, leaving fans unaware of the final cost until they reach the front of the digital queue.
In response, FIFA maintained that it is focused on ensuring “fair access” and noted that nearly seven million tickets have been made available for the expanded 48-team tournament.
While the organisation introduced a $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” for fans of qualified teams, the FSE dismissed the move as “bait advertising,” claiming these seats were virtually impossible for the general public to secure.
As the European Commission begins its examination of the filing, fan groups are calling for an immediate freeze on prices and a ban on dynamic pricing ahead of the next major sales window in April.
