FIFA gives one World Cup team free tickets for the whole tournament after a lawsuit
The fuss over World Cup 2026 ticket prices is still going strong, even though the opening ceremony is just 10 days away.
Buying World Cup tickets has become a symbol of how FIFA is seen as making the event all about making money. For years, the sport’s world body hasn’t done much to stop people from thinking the tournament is more about greed than the game itself. And this summer, the cost to actually be there and watch is just shocking.
Fans going to the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are facing high prices for everything, from transport to match tickets. Even though FIFA president Gianni Infantino seems friendly with Donald Trump, there are still complaints from the host cities about how things are being handled.
New Jersey’s attorney general, Jennifer Davenport, told the Mirror, “Being honest about ticket sales isn’t hard, but FIFA has made buying World Cup tickets confusing, full of fake shortages, and outrageously expensive. This hurts fans and regular people in New Jersey.”
Davenport and New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, are even taking legal action against FIFA. James said, “New Yorkers have waited a long time for the World Cup, and they deserve a fair chance to get affordable tickets. No one should be tricked into paying crazy prices, and fans should trust that the tickets they buy are real.”
MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL’s New York Jets and Giants, will host eight matches, including the final, under the name New York/New Jersey Stadium.
The Mirror also shared that fans from Saudi Arabia coming to the U.S. for the tournament will get a free ticket to a match. The Saudi embassy in the U.S. said, “Saudi Arabia is offering free tickets to fans supporting the national team here. We wish our team the best as they proudly represent the Kingdom.”
This could save Saudi fans up to £2,300, which is the highest price reported for Saudi Arabia’s group matches against Uruguay, Spain, and Cape Verde. If they make it, the third-place team in Group H might even play a round of 32 game at MetLife Stadium.
FIFA has reportedly given the green light to this plan.