FIFA Sets Deadline for Fans Over ‘$0' World Cup Tickets
The FIFA World Cup is less than a week away, but the biggest storyline still remains the costly tickets. As FIFA tries its best to sell them ahead of the tournament's commencement, a bizarre crisis has struck the soccer governing body.
The World Cup is set to be hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. While all three nations offer a great market for international events, FIFA has struggled to sell tickets for the tournament despite president Gianni Infantino claiming all 104 matches would be "sold out" in February.
However, tickets are still available, and one of the biggest reasons has been the exorbitant prices. For the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the lowest-tier ticket is priced at $4,185, while the ‘Supporter Premium Tier' costs $8,860. Amid all the unprecedented prices, 60 fans managed to get World Cup tickets for free.
"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 tickets requested by these fans remain…
— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) June 4, 2026
While booking tickets for the upcoming tournament, some fans ended up paying "0 USD" for their tickets due to a checkout error. The governing body later confirmed and addressed the situation, sharing, "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.
However, the 60 fans have now been asked to pay the correct amount, as their tickets remain reserved. "The affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount. FIFA regrets the error and any inconvenience caused," the statement read. In another statement issued via email, FIFA gave the fans a deadline of seven days to complete the payment.
.@FIFAWorldCup now canceling mis priced tickets.
— Ticket Talk Network (@TicketTalkNet) June 4, 2026
Gianni - Please step down.. pic.twitter.com/eyfTbkyi6f
The statement further read, "If the purchase is not completed within this period, the reserved ticket(s) will be removed from your account." While the fans may have initially felt the joy of attending the World Cup for free, that excitement did not last long. They now face an ultimatum: complete the payment or lose their tickets.
Either way, the storylines surrounding World Cup tickets have been controversial throughout. Apart from the costly ticket prices, FIFA has also banned supporters from bringing refillable plastic bottles into the stadiums. Many believe water and other beverages could be sold at significantly higher prices inside the venues as temperatures heat up across North America.
Nevertheless, fans will still get to watch their favorite stars compete for one of the most prestigious trophies in sports. How much they are willing to spend, however, will only become clear once the tournament begins and the stadiums reveal whether their seats are empty or full.
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This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 7:09 AM.