FIFA volunteers occupy empty luxury suites at AT&T Stadium for World Cup match

The opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between the Netherlands and Japan was held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Of the 14 hospitality suites behind each goal, only three were sold, leaving the majority of the luxury seats vacant. About ten minutes into the game, volunteers wearing neon‑green high‑visibility jackets were moved into the empty suites as a thank‑you gesture, although they were not counted in the official attendance.

FIFA reported an official attendance of 69,285, noting that 1,364 seats remained empty—the highest number of unoccupied seats for any World Cup match so far. The organization clarified that attendance figures reflect tickets scanned and spectators present, excluding volunteers occupying unsold luxury boxes. An architectural quirk that raises the pitch may have contributed to the low sales of the premium seats.