FIFA cites ticket scans as 98% attendance despite visible empty seats at Mexico World Cup matches

FIFA reported that stadiums were 98% full at the 2022 World Cup based on scanned tickets, even though observers noted large gaps in the stands. Empty seats were visible at the Akron Stadium in Zapopan during the South Korea‑Czech Republic match, where the official attendance was 44,895 of a 45,664 capacity, and later in Toronto for Canada’s opening game. FIFA explained that many ticket‑holders were standing in aisles, so "the official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium area, rather than visual seat occupancy at any given moment," the federation said.

Ticket prices ranged from US$400–$500 for standard seats to over US$5,000 for premium packages, prompting criticism that the World Cup is unaffordable for most Mexican fans. Resale offers reached US$10 million for a single ticket. FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized demand, saying, "We have sold six million tickets. Demand is unprecedented." The pricing debate underscores concerns about accessibility despite the tournament’s global popularity.