FIFA has asked dozens of supporters to pay for 2026 World Cup tickets that were mistakenly allocated free of charge following a ticketing system error.
The world football governing body said about 60 fans received tickets at “0 USD” after a payment issue occurred during the checkout process.
In a statement issued on Thursday, FIFA acknowledged the error and said affected supporters had been contacted to complete payment while retaining their reservations.
FIFA said: “FIFA can confirm that approximately 60 FIFA World Cup 2026 fans received a communication on Wednesday, 3 June, regarding tickets that had been allocated at no charge (0 USD) due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process.”
The organisation apologised for the mistake and confirmed that the tickets had not been cancelled.
FIFA said: “The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount.”
According to reports, supporters affected by the glitch have been given seven days to pay for their tickets or risk forfeiting them.
Ticket Talk Network, which first reported the issue, said the tickets involved were for group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Toronto, Canada.
The incident comes as FIFA faces increasing scrutiny over its ticketing arrangements for the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Earlier this year, fan organisation Football Supporters Europe criticised the tournament’s ticket pricing structure, describing it as excessive.
The group subsequently filed a lawsuit with the European Commission in March over what it called excessive ticket prices.
The criticism intensified after FIFA Marketplace reportedly listed four tickets for the World Cup final in New York at more than $2 million each.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing, arguing that the organisation was operating within United States laws that permit ticket resale at significantly higher prices than face value.
The controversy deepened on Tuesday when authorities in New York and New Jersey announced an investigation into whether World Cup ticketing practices breached consumer protection laws.
The probe will examine allegations that prices for about 90 of the tournament’s 104 matches increased by an average of 34 per cent as ticket sales progressed.
Investigators are also reviewing claims that supporters were misled about ticket availability and seat locations following the introduction of more expensive “front” category tickets after sales had already begun.
Officials have further requested explanations from FIFA regarding why ticket prices for the 2026 tournament have exceeded those of previous World Cups.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on June 11 with matches in Mexico City and Guadalajara, while the final is scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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