For the second game of football's showpiece tournament, television cameras beamed images of row upon row of empty seats around the world. Fifa, football's world governing body, said an attendance of 44,985 — just 679 short of the 45,664 capacity. The organisers issued a picture showing a mostly full stadium and claimed that numerous ticketed fans were standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats. But the visual evidence, and the fury of supporters, tells a different story: sky-high ticket prices, ballooning travel costs and a resale market awash with unsold tickets are leaving sections of stadiums deserted.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, is the first to feature 48 teams — a massive expansion from 32. Fifa has employed a 'varying pricing' policy for tickets, which according to Football Supporters Europe (FSE) saw prices jump fivefold compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For fans of smaller nations, the cost is prohibitive. England supporter Garford Beck, 64, of London, said that for Democratic Republic of Congo fans, the price of one World Cup ticket is equivalent to their average wage for about 16 years. “The prices are ridiculous,” he told the Mirror, “so I think there will be more empty seats in games involving smaller nations.”
“Why thousands of seats are empty at the 2026 World Cup despite near-sell-out attendance figures.”
The problem is not limited to ticket prices. Travel and hotel costs have also escalated, pricing out many supporters. As a result, tickets for matches involving smaller nations are now available well below face value — both on Fifa's own resale site and secondary marketplaces. The Standard reported that around 180,000 tickets were still listed for sale. Fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration, with one writing: “The number of empty seats is simply insane. Very poor from Fifa.” Another added: “That’s what happens when you drive prices up to the point of insanity.”
For British fans following England or other home nations, the practical impact is clear. Many will be travelling to the United States for group matches, where accommodation and internal flights are expensive. The availability of cheap resale tickets may offer some hope, but the overall cost of a World Cup trip has become a significant barrier. The sight of empty seats also raises questions about Fifa's governance. President Gianni Infantino was in the crowd for the South Korea vs Czechia match and has defended the pricing model, but the optics are damaging. The Mirror quoted a fan who said Infantino “deserves” the embarrassment, and that “there will be more to come.”
Q: Why are there empty seats at the World Cup despite official sell-out figures? The official attendance reflects the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, not how many are actually seated. Fifa claims many fans were standing in concourses, but independent reports and fan accounts suggest high prices and poor demand are the real cause. Tickets for smaller teams are selling below face value on resale platforms.
Q: How much do World Cup tickets cost and why are they so expensive? Football Supporters Europe says prices have jumped fivefold compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. An England supporter noted that a single ticket costs the equivalent of 16 years’ average wage for a Democratic Republic of Congo fan. Fifa's 'varying pricing' policy has been criticised for artificially inflating prices and misleading fans.
Q: Are there still tickets available for fans? Yes, thousands of tickets remain unsold. The Standard reported approximately 180,000 tickets still listed across various platforms. Many are being sold below face value on Fifa's own resale site and secondary marketplaces, particularly for matches involving smaller nations.
What happens next? As the group stage continues, further empty seats are likely in games involving nations with fewer travelling supporters. The Czech Republic, for instance, qualified late and face a demanding travel schedule. Fans and media will watch closely to see if Fifa addresses the pricing issue. Meanwhile, the resale market may offer bargains for those willing to take a chance on last-minute deals, but the broader question of affordability at the world's biggest sporting event remains unanswered.