FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticketing under Competition Law Scrutiny: What impact could a complaint to the European Commission have on football?

On^[1] 24 March 2026, Football Supporters Europe (a not-for-profit international football fan association) and Euroconsumers (an international consumer protection organisation) (the Complainants) filed a complaint against FIFA^[2] with the European Commission (the Complaint).^[3] The Complainants allege that, contrary to Article 102 TFEU of the Treaty of Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and 54 of the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA Agreement) (both dealing with abuse of dominant position), FIFA has abused its dominant market position to facilitate unfair and anti-competitive ticketing practices for the upcoming 2026 World Cup (the Complaint). FIFA has not publicly responded to the Complaint.

The Complaint illustrates the competing tensions between the expectations of fans and consumers and a sports governing body's commercial interests. This article outlines the background to the Complaint, the specific grounds and remedies sought, and the broader implications for fans, FIFA and the sports industry.

This article looks at:

• Background: FIFA’s role
• Grounds of the Complaint
  • Opacity
  • Dynamic pricing
  • Excessive pricing
  • Bait advertising
  • Dark patterns
  • Secondary market abuse
  • Remedies sought
• Next steps
• What happens if the Commission finds in favour of the Complainants?
  • Fans and consumers
  • Events industry
  • FIFA
• Conclusion