FIFA has confirmed that around 60 fans were mistakenly allocated 2026 World Cup tickets at no charge after a checkout issue, with affected supporters now asked to complete payment to keep their seats.
The governing body said those affected were contacted on Wednesday, 3 June, after tickets were allocated at 0 USD because of a prior payment issue during the checkout process.
FIFA said the tickets remain reserved and that fans have been invited to pay the correct amount. Sky News reported that the affected supporters have seven days to complete payment or lose their seats.
Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images
FIFA confirmed that approximately 60 fans received communication about tickets that had been allocated at no charge due to a prior payment issue during checkout.
The organisation said it "regrets the error and any inconvenience caused", while making clear that the tickets have not yet been removed from the affected supporters.
The seats are still reserved for those fans, provided payment is completed. FIFA has framed the matter as an error to be corrected, rather than a cancelled purchase.
Sky reported that fans have been given a strict seven-day window to pay the correct amount. Ticket Talk Network also claimed the affected matches were all group stage games in Toronto.
The incident comes just days before the World Cup begins on 11 June, with opening matches scheduled in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
The error has emerged while World Cup ticketing practices are already facing scrutiny in North America.
Officials in New York and New Jersey, who are hosting eight matches including the final, have been investigating whether ticketing practices violated consumer protection laws.
According to Sky News, subpoenas sent to FIFA requested information on several ticketing issues, including variable pricing .
The final will be staged at MetLife Stadium, temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament. Sky reported that the cheapest listed SeatGeek ticket for the final was $7,869 including fees, with seats closer to the pitch listed from around $12,820.
The initial face value of seats for the final was reported to range from $2,030 to $7,875, although prices are expected to fluctuate because of demand.
FIFA has also faced criticism after changing stadium rules to ban fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles into World Cup venues.
FIFA's position on the ticket error is clear. The seats were not intended to be free, they remain reserved for now, and affected fans have been asked to complete payment before the deadline reported by Sky.
Read more:
