Fresh controversy has emerged ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with critics accusing FIFA of offloading unsold match tickets through secondary resale platforms at prices significantly lower than those listed on its official ticketing portal. The allegations come as the governing body already faces scrutiny in the United States over aspects of its ticketing policies and stadium seating disclosures.

The latest dispute centres on the group-stage match between Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde at Houston's NRG Stadium. Questions were raised after large blocks of adjacent seats appeared for sale on resale marketplace SeatGeek, prompting speculation that the tickets may not have originated from individual fans but from unsold inventory being redirected to secondary channels.

Florian Ederer, an economics professor at Boston University, highlighted the issue on social media by sharing screenshots that showed multiple rows of seats available together. According to Ederer, the listings differed from a typical resale market, where tickets are generally sold individually or in small quantities by supporters who can no longer attend an event.

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Some of the tickets on the resale platform were reportedly listed for around $200, while comparable seats on FIFA's official sales platform were priced at approximately $700. Ederer alleged that the pattern suggested unsold tickets were being released in bulk on secondary marketplaces at discounted rates, allowing inventory to be moved without reducing official ticket prices.

The allegations have fuelled criticism of FIFA's ticketing strategy. Critics argue that lowering prices directly on official channels could trigger demands for refunds or compensation from fans who had already purchased tickets at higher rates. By maintaining official prices while tickets appear elsewhere at substantial discounts, FIFA risks further questions about transparency and fairness in the ticket sales process.

FIFA has not publicly responded to the latest claims. However, the controversy adds to growing debate over ticket availability, pricing and distribution ahead of the tournament. With the World Cup drawing closer, the governing body is likely to face increased scrutiny from fans, consumer advocates and regulators regarding its handling of ticket sales and resale practices.

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