FIFA defends World Cup attendance as empty seats fuel ticket‑price criticism

FIFA reported an official attendance of 44,985 for the Group A match between South Korea and the Czech Republic at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron, but broadcast footage showed large sections of empty seats. The governing body explained that the figure reflects tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, not the number of seats occupied at a given moment. “Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, rather than visual assessments of seating occupancy at any given moment during the match,” FIFA said, adding that many ticket‑holders were standing in the concourses.

Critics linked the visible empties to FIFA’s ticket‑pricing strategy. Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup have risen sharply – fivefold compared with 2022 – with dynamic pricing leading to some seats costing up to AUD 13,000 for the final. Football Supporters Europe warned the prices were “extortionate”. FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the pricing as comparable to other major sporting events.

The issue prompted investigations by the New York and New Jersey attorneys general into FIFA’s ticketing practices. Similar empty‑seat observations were reported at Levi’s Stadium in the United States and at Toronto’s venue for Canada’s opening match. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of FIFA’s commercial model for the expanded 48‑team tournament.