California’s top prosecutor is blowing the whistle on FIFA just weeks before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, alleging the soccer governing body may have misled fans through a “bait-and-switch” ticketing scheme.
On Wednesday, Attorney General Rob Bonta fired off a formal inquiry to FIFA’s legal headquarters in Miami. The investigation centers on claims that the organization sold high-priced tickets based on specific stadium maps, only to redraw the boundaries of those seating zones later, effectively demoting fans to cheaper sections without a refund.
The 2026 tournament, which starts June 11, features matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Under California’s strict consumer protection laws, businesses are prohibited from using deceptive marketing—and they can’t hide behind fine print to justify it.
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“Californians deserve transparency and fairness when purchasing tickets for any event held in our state,” Bonta said. A lifelong soccer player with family in the professional leagues, Bonta added that fans should be able to trust that the seats they paid for actually exist where they were promised.
The controversy stems from FIFA’s “phased” sales approach. Fans reportedly purchased tickets in “Category 1” or “Category 2” based on color-coded maps provided in late 2025. However, reports suggest that when precise seats were finally assigned, the “zones” had shifted. This left some buyers sitting in areas originally labeled as lower-tier categories despite having paid premium prices.
Bonta’s letter to FIFA’s Chief Legal Officer, Emilio García Silvero, demands a paper trail. The state is seeking every seating map used since October 2025, the number of fans who were downgraded, and a full explanation of any refund or remedy plans.
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The Attorney General gave FIFA until May 29 to hand over the data.
“Californians should be able to trust that the seats they purchase match the representations made during the sales process,” Bonta said. “We look forward to receiving the requested information from FIFA as part of our ongoing review.”
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