FIFA has admitted a ticketing error that gave dozens of fans free tickets to the 2026 World Cup and has now asked them to pay the correct amount or risk losing their seats.
The world football governing body said about 60 fans were given tickets at “0 USD” after a payment problem during the checkout process.
In a statement posted on 𝕏 on Thursday, FIFA said: “FIFA can confirm that around 60 FIFA World Cup 2026 fans received a communication on Wednesday, 3 June, about tickets that had been allocated at no charge (0 USD) as a result of a prior payment issue during the checkout process.”
FIFA apologized for the error but said the tickets would remain reserved for the affected supporters while payment was completed.
“The tickets requested by these fans are still reserved and the affected fans have been invited to complete the payment of the correct amount,” the organisation stated.
Fans have been given seven days to pay the outstanding balance or risk losing their tickets. The impacted seats were for group-stage matches set to be held in Toronto, Canada, according to Ticket Talk Network, which first reported the issue.
The incident adds to increasing scrutiny of FIFA’s ticketing system ahead of the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This week, in May, fan group Football Supporters Europe criticised World Cup ticket prices, describing the structure as “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal”. The organisation already lodged a complaint with the European Commission in March about what it called excessive pricing for the tournament.
The controversy grew when FIFA’s resale platform promoted four tickets for the final on 19 July in New York for more than $2 million each.
But Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, saying that FIFA was complying with US laws that allow tickets to be resold at prices far higher than face value.
New York and New Jersey authorities announced Tuesday that they’re investigating whether World Cup ticket sales violated consumer protection laws.
The investigation will look at claims that prices for around 90 of the tournament’s 104 matches increased by an average of 34 per cent as sales phases went on.
FIFA also introduced more expensive “front” category tickets during the sales process, and investigators are reviewing allegations that supporters were misled about seat locations and availability.
Officials also asked for an explanation as to why ticket prices for the 2026 tournament exceed those seen at previous World Cups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is due to kick off on 11 June, with matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara, and the final being staged at MetLife Stadium in the United States.
