FIFA has confirmed that a website error led to around 60 fans being mistakenly issued World Cup 2026 tickets at no cost, and is now requiring them to pay the full price or risk losing their seats, according to statements reported by Sky News.
The governing body of world football FIFA said the issue occurred during the checkout process, where a payment failure resulted in tickets being allocated at “0 USD.” The affected supporters were notified on Wednesday, 3 June, that their purchases had been incorrectly processed.
FIFA said in a statement that it “regrets the error and any inconvenience caused,” but confirmed the tickets remain reserved only temporarily, with fans now required to complete payment of the correct amount. Those affected reportedly have seven days to pay, or their tickets will be cancelled.
Reports suggest the impacted seats were for group-stage matches in Toronto, and the incident was first highlighted online by Ticket Talk Network, which shared details of an email allegedly sent by FIFA outlining the payment deadline and warning of cancellation.
The situation comes at a sensitive time for World Cup ticketing, with growing scrutiny over pricing practices for the 2026 tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded competition will feature 48 teams and more than 100 matches.
In a related development, officials in New York and New Jersey—two of the host regions for the tournament, including the final—have reportedly opened investigations into FIFA’s ticketing policies. According to reports, subpoenas have been issued seeking information on pricing methods, including “variable pricing,” which has drawn criticism from fans over rapidly increasing costs and seat relocations within stadiums.
Further coverage from Goal noted that ticket prices for high-demand matches have surged significantly on secondary markets. The cheapest available seat for the final was reportedly priced at around $7,869, while premium seats closer to the pitch have been listed at over $12,000.
FIFA has also faced additional criticism over stadium policies, after it recently banned fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles into venues, reversing an earlier allowance. The organization said the decision was made for safety reasons, but it sparked concern over fan welfare, especially given expected high temperatures during matches.
The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on 11 June, with opening matches scheduled in Mexico City and Guadalajara, while the final will take place at MetLife Stadium, which will be temporarily renamed New York New Jersey Stadium.
