Sources have confirmed that FIFA, football's global governing body, is under formal investigation over allegations of price-fixing and profiteering in the sale of tickets for the 2026 World Cup. Uncovered documents and internal communications obtained by this newspaper reveal a coordinated scheme to inflate ticket prices, squeezing fans and funnelling millions into opaque accounts.
The investigation, led by the Office of Fair Trading in collaboration with international regulators, centres on FIFA's decision to hike ticket prices by an average of 40% for the tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Insiders claim that senior FIFA officials authorised a secret pricing strategy designed to maximise revenue from high-demand matches, with kickbacks flowing to intermediaries linked to governing body executives.
One whistleblower, a former FIFA employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: 'They knew exacting what the market would bear. They rigged the system to shut out ordinary fans and sell premium packages to corporates and VIPs. The money skimmed from these sales was routed through shell companies in jurisdictions known for secrecy.'
Leaked spreadsheets show a tiered pricing structure where tickets for the final were marked up by 300% compared to similar events in previous tournaments. FIFA's own financial forecasts projected an additional $200 million in revenue from the scheme, but internal audits flagged discrepancies totalling millions that could not be accounted for.
A FIFA spokesman denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations 'baseless and driven by malice'. However, the investigation has already compelled the resignation of one senior ticketing executive, and sources close to the inquiry say criminal charges cannot be ruled out.
The scandal comes at a sensitive time for FIFA, which has been trying to rebuild its reputation after the corruption revelations of the 2010s. Critics argue that the ticket pricing fiasco exposes the same culture of unaccountable power and greed that has plagued the organisation for decades.
'This isn't about market forces, it's about fleecing fans and enriching insiders,' said a parliamentary committee member involved in the inquiry. 'We are following the money, and it leads directly to the top.'
For the millions of fans priced out of attending the World Cup, the investigation offers little comfort. But for those tracking the flows of cash and influence in global sport, this is just the latest thread in a tangled web. The question is how far it will unravel.
