FIFA has admitted to a ticketing error that mistakenly allowed dozens of fans to obtain free tickets for the 2026 World Cup and has now asked them to pay the correct amount or risk losing their seats.
The football governing body disclosed that around 60 supporters were issued tickets valued at “0 USD” due to a payment glitch during the checkout process.
In a statement released on Thursday, FIFA explained that the issue affected a small number of fans who received tickets without being charged because of a technical payment error.
“FIFA can confirm that approximately 60 FIFA World Cup 2026 fans received a communication on June 3 regarding tickets that had been allocated at no charge due to a payment issue during checkout,” the organisation stated.
FIFA apologised for the mistake but clarified that the affected tickets have been reserved and that supporters have been contacted to complete payment.
“The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount,” FIFA said.
Reports indicate that the affected supporters have been given seven days to pay for the tickets. Failure to do so could result in the cancellation of their reservations.
The tickets involved were reportedly for group-stage matches scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada.
The incident comes as FIFA continues to face criticism over ticket pricing for the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico.
Earlier this year, fan advocacy group Football Supporters Europe criticised FIFA’s ticket pricing structure, describing it as excessive and unfair to ordinary supporters.
Read Also:
Chelsea Join Race for Osimhen as Galatasaray Demand €150m
The group also filed a complaint with the European Commission over what it called inflated ticket costs for the tournament.
Concerns intensified after FIFA’s resale platform listed premium tickets for the World Cup final at 2026 FIFA World Cup for more than $2 million each.
Despite the backlash, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing model, arguing that resale practices in the United States allow tickets to be sold significantly above their original value.
Meanwhile, authorities in the states of New York and New Jersey have launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices to determine whether consumer protection laws were breached.
Investigators are reviewing claims that ticket prices for many World Cup matches rose by an average of 34 per cent during different sales phases. They are also examining allegations that fans were misled about ticket availability and seating categories after FIFA introduced more expensive ticket options after sales had already begun.
The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to kick off on June 11, 2026, with opening matches in Mexico, while the final will be played at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
