Empty seats embarrass FIFA as fans blame fivefold ticket price rise at World Cup 2026

FIFA faced widespread ridicule on the opening weekend of the 2026 World Cup after television cameras captured row upon row of empty seats during South Korea’s 2-1 victory over Czechia at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico — with fans and supporter groups pointing directly at sky-high ticket prices as the cause.

The official attendance was announced as 44,985, just 679 short of the stadium’s 45,664 capacity, yet the visual evidence told a different story. Empty seats were spread throughout the ground, not confined to the most expensive sections, and the images were broadcast to football fans around the world with FIFA president Gianni Infantino watching on from the stands.

Football Supporters Europe (FSE) warned that ticket prices had jumped fivefold compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, effectively pricing out both local fans and travelling international supporters. Online resale platforms were flooded with listings as ticket holders attempted to offload seats in the face of soaring travel and accommodation costs. FSE also accused FIFA of a ‘varying pricing’ policy that “artificially inflated prices” and “misled fans”.

England supporter Garford Beck, 64, from London, who is following his team in the United States, said the empty stands came as no surprise. “I think there will be more to come and FIFA is getting what it deserves,” he said while travelling with fellow fans in Orlando. “For Democratic Republic of Congo fans, the cost of one World Cup ticket is the equivalent of their average wage for about 16 years. The prices are ridiculous, so I think there will be more empty seats in games involving smaller nations.”

Anger spilled onto social media, with one supporter writing: “The number of empty seats is simply insane. Very poor from FIFA.” Another added: “Literally on day one of the World Cup there are lots of empty seats. That’s what happens when you drive prices up to the point of insanity.”

The ticketing controversy arrived alongside further trouble at the tournament’s opening match. Hooded protesters hurled petrol bombs at riot police shortly after Mexico’s 2-0 victory against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca — renamed Mexico Stadium for the tournament. Up to 1,000 protesters were involved in the violence, and one female officer required emergency treatment for a serious head wound.