The central demand is a ban on “ghost” tickets - listings for seats a reseller does not possess. The report says supporters could travel long distances before discovering that tickets cannot be delivered, leaving flights, hotels, rental cars and parking bills beyond the reach of a standard refund.
That risk is especially serious for a global tournament, where demand is concentrated around a fixed schedule and a limited number of host cities. A cancelled ticket cannot simply be replaced by attending another fixture the following week.
Venue operators and fan groups are reportedly seeking universal limits on resale mark-ups, alongside clearer disclosures and stronger enforcement against platforms and professional resellers. They have also called for Federal Trade Commission fines of at least $10,000 per ticket, per day for serious violations.
Existing state laws in Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont and Nevada already ban speculative sales, according to the report. Supporters of federal action argue that a national tournament should not leave protection dependent on the state where a transaction occurs.
Congress is considering the TICKET Act, which would reportedly require clearer pricing and fee information, prohibit deceptive marketing and provide refunds for cancelled or postponed events. Critics say the draft still falls short if it does not explicitly prevent the sale of tickets that do not exist.
The next test will be whether lawmakers strengthen the bill before World Cup sales intensify. For supporters planning international trips, the value of a ticket will depend not only on its price, but on whether it guarantees entry.