FIFA Orders Fans to Pay for Free World Cup 2026 Tickets Issued Due to Website Glitch

FIFA Orders Fans to Pay for Free World Cup 2026 Tickets Issued Due to Website Glitch

FIFA has confirmed that a website glitch mistakenly allowed dozens of football fans to obtain free tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the governing body has now instructed affected supporters to pay the correct amount within seven days or risk losing their seats.

In a statement, FIFA acknowledged that approximately 60 fans were allocated tickets at “0 USD” due to a payment issue during the online checkout process.

“FIFA can confirm that approximately 60 FIFA World Cup 2026 fans received a communication on Wednesday, June 3, regarding tickets that had been allocated at no charge (0 USD) due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process,” the organisation stated.

While expressing regret over the incident, FIFA said the tickets remain reserved for the affected supporters, who have now been asked to complete payment for their purchases.

“The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount,” FIFA added.

Reports indicate that the supporters have been given a seven-day deadline to pay for the tickets or forfeit their reservations. According to information shared online by Ticket Talk Network, the affected tickets were all for group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Toronto, Canada.

The incident comes as FIFA faces increasing scrutiny over ticketing arrangements for the expanded 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament, the first to feature 48 teams, will include more than 100 matches across the three host nations.

Earlier this week, officials in New York and New Jersey, which will host eight matches including the final, announced investigations into whether FIFA’s ticketing practices breached consumer protection regulations.

Authorities in both states have reportedly issued subpoenas seeking information on several ticketing concerns, including the use of variable pricing, a system that has drawn criticism after ticket prices increased significantly for many matches and some stadium seating arrangements were altered.

Some supporters have complained that changes to seating maps resulted in tickets being moved further away from the pitch than originally purchased.

FIFA also faced criticism on Thursday after making a last-minute policy change prohibiting fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles into stadiums during the tournament.

The organisation said the decision was taken to prevent potential risks to players and spectators. However, the move has sparked concerns among fan groups, particularly regarding supporter welfare and hydration during matches expected to be played in high temperatures.

Previously, spectators had been informed that they could enter venues with empty, transparent reusable bottles with a capacity of up to one litre.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and is expected to be the largest edition of the tournament in history.

FIFA Orders Fans to Pay for Free World Cup 2026 Tickets Issued Due to Website Glitch