FIFA faces investigations over ticket speculation for 2026 World Cup

Journalists and officials argue that FIFA is using bundled ticket sales and a resale platform that takes a 15% fee from both buyer and seller to turn World Cup tickets into a high‑profit commodity. Ticket bundles are sold in blocks of three to five matches, with FIFA selecting the specific games, a practice described as a "gamble" that fuels a secondary market where prices can reach $4,000 for a family trip.

Authorities in Germany, Switzerland and the United States have opened investigations, treating the scheme as a possible breach of gambling and consumer‑protection laws. Critics say the inflated prices will leave many stadiums half empty and enrich FIFA officials and top sponsors, with the organisation projecting a $50 billion revenue boost from the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.