- California AG Rob Bonta sent a letter to FIFA seeking information about potential violations of California consumer protection law in connection with ticket sales for 2026 World Cup games in California.
- In the letter, the AG’s office expressed concern over reports that FIFA sold tickets by seating category based on stadium maps shown during checkout, then changed those boundaries before assigning seats, allegedly leaving some consumers with lower-tier seats than the maps reflected at purchase.
- The letter cited California’s Unfair Competition Law and False Advertising Law, which prohibit marketing practices likely to mislead consumers, and warned that FIFA may not be able to avoid liability by pointing to fine-print disclosures that reasonable consumers would not have reviewed or understood.
- Among other things, the AG’s office requested seating maps, ticket-purchase pages, the number of buyers assigned seats that would have fallen into lower categories under earlier maps, related disclosures, and details on any refunds, discounts, or other relief offered to affected buyers.