- Empty Seats at Korea v Czech Republic Game Spark Fresh Debate Over Ticket Prices
Concerns over ticket pricing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup resurfaced on Thursday after large sections of empty seats were visible during South Korea’s 2-1 victory over Czech Republic in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Although FIFA officially announced an attendance of 44,985 for the Group A encounter at the 46,000-capacity Estadio Guadalajara, television images showing numerous vacant seats quickly triggered criticism from supporters and observers alike.
The issue comes just a day after more than 80,000 fans packed the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the tournament opener between co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. The contrast between the electric atmosphere in the opening match and the quieter scenes in Guadalajara has intensified scrutiny over FIFA’s ticketing strategy for the expanded 48-team tournament.
Several supporters inside the stadium blamed the high cost of tickets for the disappointing turnout, arguing that many ordinary football fans have been priced out of attending matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the governing body’s pricing structure earlier this week, insisting that World Cup ticket prices remain comparable to those charged at other major global sporting events.
Despite the criticism, FIFA says demand for the competition has been exceptionally strong. The world football governing body revealed that more than six million tickets have already been sold across the tournament, with Infantino previously claiming interest from fans across the Americas had exceeded expectations “by a factor of 10 or more.”
However, supporters’ organisations continue to raise concerns about affordability. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) recently described the prices as “extortionate,” warning that soaring costs risk alienating traditional supporters. According to the group, ticket prices for the 2026 tournament are nearly five times higher than those seen at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
On the pitch, South Korea produced a spirited comeback performance to defeat Czech Republic 2-1 and strengthen their hopes of progressing from Group A. But off the field, the debate surrounding accessibility and fan inclusion continues to dominate discussions in the early days of the tournament.
