California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta says the state is contacting FIFA to assess whether any laws were violated in the World Cup ticket sales process. In a letter to FIFA’s chief legal officer, Bonta raises concerns after reports that ticket categories shown on stadium maps were changed before specific seats were assigned to purchasers. The state is seeking FIFA’s explanation for how the ticketing categories were handled and whether changes occurred after sales were completed.
The inquiry follows public complaints from some supporters, who say ticket prices for the tournament are high. The allegations focus on whether FIFA sold tickets based on the original seating-zone categories displayed to buyers and then later altered those categories in a way that affected where fans ultimately sit.
Multiple outlets report that California’s probe is part of a broader effort to determine legal compliance with relevant state consumer and business practices. FIFA has not been described as admitting wrongdoing in the reporting, and California’s review is ongoing while FIFA responds to the request for information.
