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The controversy surrounding FIFA and their ticketing strategy has taken another twist just a week before the 2026 World Cup gets underway.
Fresh allegations have emerged suggesting tickets may be appearing on unofficial resale platforms at significantly lower prices than those listed through FIFA's own official channels.
FIFA accused of using unofficial platforms to shift 2026 World Cup tickets
FIFA is facing new questions over its ticketing practices after claims emerged that large blocks of 2026 World Cup tickets are being sold on secondary marketplaces at heavily discounted prices.
The allegation was raised by Boston University economics professor Florian Ederer, who highlighted large sections of available seats for the Saudi Arabia vs Cape Verde group-stage match at Houston's NRG Stadium.
According to Ederer, tickets listed on SeatGeek were being offered for around $200 (£150), while comparable seats remained available through FIFA's official resale platform for approximately $700 (£520).
What caught attention was not just the price difference, but the apparent volume of tickets available.
Ederer pointed to entire rows and large contiguous seating blocks appearing on the secondary market, arguing that the listings looked different from typical fan-to-fan resale activity.
He suggested the pattern could indicate unsold inventory being moved through third-party platforms rather than individual supporters selling tickets.
FIFA has previously advised fans to purchase tickets through official channels and has not commented directly on the allegations.
Meanwhile, SeatGeek has stated it does not have a partnership or distribution agreement with FIFA.
The claims arrive just days after FIFA was subpoenaed by the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey as part of a separate investigation into World Cup ticket pricing and availability.
Importantly, there is currently no evidence proving FIFA itself is responsible for the tickets appearing on secondary platforms.
FGG says: Another unwanted distraction for FIFA
At this stage, it's important to separate allegation from fact.
The screenshots and seat maps certainly raise questions, but there is currently no proof that FIFA is directly placing tickets on secondary marketplaces. That said, the optics are not great.
When supporters have already been complaining about dynamic pricing, soaring ticket costs and limited affordability, seeing tickets apparently available elsewhere for a fraction of the official price only fuels more suspicion.
Whether these claims ultimately prove true or not, they add to a growing list of ticketing controversies that have dominated discussion ahead of kick-off.
For FIFA, that's the real problem, and with the World Cup just days away, the conversation should be about football. Instead, ticket pricing and accessibility continue to generate headlines for all the wrong reasons.