Questions surrounding ticket pricing and fan accessibility at the 2026 FIFA World Cup resurfaced on the tournament’s opening day after noticeable empty seats appeared during South Korea’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico.
While the tournament opened in spectacular fashion at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, where more than 80,000 fans packed the venue to watch Mexico defeat South Africa 2-0, the atmosphere was markedly different later in Guadalajara.
Television broadcasts and photographs from the nearly 46,000-capacity stadium showed numerous vacant seats throughout the venue during the Group A clash between South Korea and the Czech Republic. Although FIFA reported an official attendance of 44,985, visible gaps in the stands sparked renewed debate about the affordability of attending the world’s biggest football tournament.
The issue comes after months of criticism from supporters who have argued that ticket prices, accommodation costs, and travel expenses across the three host nations—the United States, Mexico, and Canada—have made attending matches increasingly difficult for ordinary fans.
Many supporters have also pointed to visa-related challenges for international travelers, particularly those seeking entry into the United States, as another obstacle affecting attendance.
The concerns are especially significant because the 2026 tournament is the largest FIFA World Cup in history, featuring more teams, more matches, and host cities spread across North America.
An analysis conducted by NBC News found that attending some early tournament matches could cost fans an amount comparable to a month’s rent in major U.S. cities once tickets, hotels, and travel expenses are factored in.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the governing body’s pricing strategy, arguing that World Cup tickets remain competitive when compared with other major sporting events.
According to Infantino, FIFA has sold more than six million tickets for the tournament and demand has exceeded expectations by a substantial margin. He also noted that entry-level tickets starting at around $60 compare favorably with prices charged for playoff games in major North American sports leagues.
However, supporter organizations dispute those claims.
Football Supporters Europe filed a complaint with the European Commission earlier this year, alleging that FIFA’s pricing policies have effectively priced out many traditional football supporters. The organization argued that the lowest-priced tickets promoted by FIFA were available only in limited quantities and sold out before most fans had access to general ticket sales.
The controversy has also attracted political and legal attention. Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices, citing concerns that some supporters may have been misled regarding seat locations and availability. Even U.S. President Donald Trump publicly criticized the high cost of World Cup tickets in comments made before the tournament.
Despite the concerns, the crowd that attended the South Korea-Czech Republic match created a lively atmosphere, with South Korean supporters celebrating a dramatic comeback victory after their team recovered from a second-half deficit.
With the World Cup running through July 19 and dozens of matches still to be played across North America, organizers will be hoping attendance figures improve as the tournament progresses and marquee teams enter the competition.
The debate over ticket affordability, however, appears likely to remain a major talking point as fans, governing bodies, and organizers assess whether the world’s biggest football event remains accessible to the average supporter.
