California AG demands FIFA answers on potentially illegal World Cup ticket policy

California AG demands FIFA answers on potentially illegal World Cup ticket policy

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sent a letter to FIFA demanding answers over World Cup ticket practices he called "potentially misleading."

In the letter, Bonta requested a host of information from FIFA "to assess potential violations of California law."

Fans have taken umbrage with a number of FIFA's practices surrounding ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, which takes place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Bonta cited reporting from The Athletic that suggested FIFA misrepresented the location of tickets fans purchased in the fall and winter, before they knew exactly where their seats would be located.

"My office is particularly concerned about recent reports that FIFA sold tickets by categories based on seating zones depicted on stadium maps but then changed those seat categorizations before assigning precise seat locations," Bonta said in his letter.

Though FIFA has defended its policy by stating that seating maps were only to "provide guidance" rather than outline a specific seat location, Bonta said that may not be enough to avoid legal scrutiny.

"Businesses and organizations cannot defend such practices by relying upon fine print or terms disclosed elsewhere that a reasonable consumer would not have reviewed or understood," Bonta said in the letter.

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta

Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City

Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

BMO Field – Toronto

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

Lumen Field – Seattle

NRG Stadium – Houston

Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

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What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

1 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

2 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

3 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta

4 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City

5 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

6 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

7 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

BMO Field – Toronto

8 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

9 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

10 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

11 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Lumen Field – Seattle

12 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

NRG Stadium – Houston

13 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California

14 / 15

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

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What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

In another development that has sparked plenty of complaints, FIFA added a "front-row seat" category, a new classification that had been unannounced prior to the opening of the last-minute sales phase on April 1.

“Californians deserve transparency and fairness when purchasing tickets for any event held in our state,” Bonta said in a press release. “The FIFA World Cup only comes once every four years — and as someone who played soccer in college and beyond, has a daughter and daughter-in-law who play professional soccer, and still has a deep passion for the sport — I understand the significance these matches hold for fans.

"Californians should be able to trust that the seats they purchase match the representations made during the sales process. We look forward to receiving the requested information from FIFA as part of our ongoing review.”

In his letter, Bonta requested answers from FIFA by May 29.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: FIFA World Cup tickets: California AG says policy possibly illegal