FIFA cancels free World Cup tickets issued due to website error

FIFA has canceled World Cup tickets that were mistakenly issued free of charge to around 60 fans because of a website error, the governing body confirmed on Thursday.

According to FIFA, the tickets were "allocated at no charge (0 USD)" due to a payment issue that occurred during the checkout process. The organization apologized for the mistake and any inconvenience caused.

FIFA said the affected tickets remain reserved for the fans concerned, who have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount to secure their seats.

The incident marks the latest problem in FIFA's World Cup ticketing system, which is already under investigation by the attorney general of New York and New Jersey over possible consumer protection law violations.

The incorrectly priced tickets were sold through FIFA's official World Cup website on May 21, more than three months after FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that all 104 matches of the tournament had sold out.

Despite that claim, FIFA continues to sell tickets for matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which begins next Thursday in Mexico City. FIFA also operates its own resale platform, charging a 15% commission to both buyers and sellers. Ticket prices for the tournament are significantly higher than in previous editions, despite an earlier pledge by the United States, Canada and Mexico bid team to offer hundreds of thousands of group-stage tickets at $21 each.    �"UNB