FIFA Cancels Tickets for 60 Fans Due to Web Error
FIFA has announced that around 60 fans will have their World Cup tickets canceled after a website glitch allowed them to obtain seats without making payment. This information was confirmed by the organization on Thursday.
According to FIFA, the tickets were issued with no charge due to an earlier payment issue that occurred during the checkout process. The governing body stated that those affected have been informed that they will need to pay the proper amount if they wish to retain their reservations.
FIFA expressed regret over the mistake and the inconvenience caused, noting that the requested tickets are still reserved for these fans, who have been encouraged to complete their payments.
The error happened on May 21, when tickets were sold through FIFA’s official World Cup site. This took place more than three months after FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that all 104 matches for the expanded 2026 World Cup had been sold out.
This incident raises concerns about FIFA’s ticketing system, which is currently under investigation by the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey for possible violations relating to consumer protection laws.
Despite earlier statements about sold-out matches, tickets are still available through FIFA’s official sales channels as the tournament approaches, set to start next Thursday in Mexico City. It’s uncertain whether prices for less popular matches will decrease under FIFA’s dynamic pricing model, which has faced criticism from fans.
FIFA has also introduced its own resale platform, charging a 15% commission to both buyers and sellers in an effort to limit ticket broker activities. However, secondary marketplaces like SeatGeek still show a significant number of available tickets for several matches as of Friday.
Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup have sparked considerable discussion, as they are significantly higher than those for previous tournaments. FIFA defends this pricing, saying that the money raised will support football development programs for its member associations.
This tournament marks a shift in ticketing control to FIFA, which is now managing pricing and sales directly, unlike past tournaments that relied on local organizing committees.
When the U.S., Canada, and Mexico secured hosting rights in 2018, they promised to provide hundreds of thousands of group-stage tickets for as low as $21. However, the current pricing has deviated from those expectations and has ignited debates around the 2026 World Cup.
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