FIFA has asked dozens of football fans to pay for their World Cup 2026 tickets or risk losing their seats after a technical error accidentally allocated them for free.
The world football governing body confirmed that a checkout payment glitch led to approximately 60 supporters being allocated tickets priced at “$0 USD”.
The affected tickets were for group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Toronto, Canada, according to the Ticket Talk Network, which first reported the issue.
In a statement released on social media platform X, FIFA said the affected fans had been contacted on Wednesday, 3 June, regarding the pricing error.
The organisation apologised for the mistake but stated that the tickets would only remain reserved if the correct amounts were settled. Supporters have reportedly been given seven days to pay or forfeit their seats.
“The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount,” FIFA said.
Growing ticket scrutiny
The ticketing failure adds to the mounting pressure on FIFA over its pricing structures and sales strategies for the expanded 2026 tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In early May, the fan organisation Football Supporters Europe (FSE) heavily criticised the tournament’s costs, branding the pricing model “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal”.
FSE also filed a lawsuit with the European Commission in March, targeting FIFA over ticket prices. The legal challenge followed reports that FIFA’s official resale platform, FIFA Marketplace, had advertised four tickets for the final in New York at more than $2m (£1.6m) each.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing, arguing that the governing body is obliged to navigate US marketplace laws, which allow tickets to be resold significantly above face value.
US authorities launch investigation
The issue has caught the attention of US regulators. On Tuesday, authorities in New York and New Jersey announced an investigation into whether FIFA’s ticketing practices violate consumer protection laws.
The investigation will look into claims that ticket prices for around 90 of the tournament’s 104 matches rose by an average of 34% across different sales phases.
Officials are also reviewing allegations that fans were misled about seat availability, specifically after FIFA introduced a premium “front” category after initial sales had commenced.
Investigators have requested that FIFA explain why ticket prices for the 2026 tournament are significantly higher than those of previous World Cups.
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on 11 June with opening matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara. The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July.
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