A group of nearly 70 U.S. lawmakers has sent a formal letter to FIFA, demanding lower ticket prices and financial assistance for the American cities preparing to host the 2026 World Cup.
The letter sent and led by Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat from California, outlines growing frustration with the financial burden placed on host communities and the high cost for fans hoping to attend the games. The tournament, which will be held across North America with 11 of its 16 venues in the United States, is now just three months away.
“Everyone is upset,” Rep. Kamlager-Dove said in a recent interview. “Fans are upset. Local business owners are irritated. And mayors have asked for help in dealing with FIFA.”
The letter, signed by 68 other Democrats in the House of Representatives, argues that FIFA’s financial practices create a “structural imbalance.” While FIFA, which owns and operates the World Cup, projects a revenue of over $11 billion for the 2026 event, host cities are struggling to cover their own rising costs. These cities are contractually required to pay for essential services like security, transportation, and fan events, with budgets often ranging from $100 million to over $200 million each.
The lawmakers’ main concerns focus on two key areas: ticket prices and city funding.
The High Cost of Attending
The letter criticizes FIFA’s use of “dynamic pricing” for tickets, a strategy that has seen prices increase multiple times since they were first released.
The lawmakers argue this approach makes the tournament unaffordable for many local residents and international visitors.
“Both American fans and international visitors should have access to tickets at affordable prices,” the letter states. It calls this pricing model “the most financially exclusionary and inaccessible to date” and urges FIFA to release the remaining tickets at lower, fixed prices. It also asks the organization to commit to a return to a static pricing model for future tournaments.
The Financial Squeeze on Host Cities
Beyond tickets, the letter highlights the financial strain on the host committees in cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. These committees are responsible for funding local operations, including the popular “Fan Fests”, large, public viewing parties that offer a free or low cost way for locals to take part in the festivities.
However, cities face a major hurdle in raising the necessary funds. FIFA’s strict rules prevent host cities from signing sponsorship deals with companies in any business category already occupied by a FIFA sponsor. This blocks local businesses, such as regional restaurant chains or airlines, from providing much-needed financial support. The letter states that, as a result, host committees are collectively facing a significant funding shortfall.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove compared FIFA’s approach to a “parasite,” arguing that the organization takes the majority of the revenue while leaving cities to shoulder the expenses.
“Security, fan events, partnerships, transportation, the responsibility for all of that is on the city,” she said. “The question becomes, how does the city benefit? If you are using up all their resources and not providing anything in return, what is the benefit other than saying you are a host city?”
The letter was sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino and represents the strongest congressional action to date regarding the World Cup’s organization. Notably, all 68 signatories are Democrats. Rep. Kamlager-Dove said she approached her Republican colleagues, but none chose to sign.
Congressman Darin LaHood, a Republican from Illinois who co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Soccer Caucus, offered a different perspective. He noted that cities entered into these contracts knowingly when they bid to host the games. He believes the long-term economic benefits from tourism and global attention will ultimately justify the costs.
FIFA has defended its approach, pointing to commissioned studies that project billions in economic impact for host cities. A spokesperson confirmed the organization has received the letter and is reviewing it. The spokesperson also stated that FIFA has worked with Rep. Kamlager-Dove’s office on several occasions in the past.
Rep. Kamlager-Dove, whose district is near SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, says her goal is to ensure that hosting the World Cup is a positive experience for everyone involved. She warned that without changes, the current model could harm the chances of U.S. cities bidding for future events, such as the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
“At the end of the day,” she said, “fans are hurting, and local businesses are hurting. And it looks like FIFA is just focused on making money. That’s unacceptable.”