SOCCER FANS FILE COMPLAINT WITH EU OVER FIFA WORLD CUP TICKET PRICES. (PHOTO).

 Soccer fans file complaint with EU over FIFA World Cup ticket prices

Soccer fans across Europe have formally filed a complaint with the European Commission, targeting FIFA over what they say are excessively high ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup. Football Supporters Europe (FSE), working with consumer advocacy group Euroconsumers, claims the global soccer governing body abused its market dominance to impose ticket costs that would not be acceptable in a competitive marketplace. The complaint highlights a range of prices that were first released in December, from $140 for the lowest-tier group stage games to $8,680 for the final, with the cheapest final tickets at $4,185. FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time for the tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

FSE and Euroconsumers say FIFA’s monopoly allowed it to enforce policies that pressure fans into paying inflated prices while limiting transparency in the ticketing process. Following fan backlash, FIFA reduced certain ticket costs to $60 for all rounds through the final, which teams could distribute to loyal supporters. The complaint calls for a freeze on ticket prices during the next sales period in April and demands an end to dynamic pricing for European fans, warning that such strategies turn loyalty into a bidding war and exclude many supporters. Critics also pointed to FIFA’s official resale platform, where tickets are often sold far above face value and the organization takes a 30% cut. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has described demand as equivalent to “1,000 years of World Cups at once,” suggesting tickets may continue to resell at higher prices. FIFA stated it has not yet formally received the complaint and emphasized that all revenue from the tournament is reinvested into growing the sport.