FIFA Rejects 'Thousands Of Empty Seats' In World Cup Claim: 'Several Fans Were...'

Published 13 June 2026 · sports

FIFA Rejects 'Thousands Of Empty Seats' In World Cup Claim: 'Several Fans Were...' Published By, Last Updated: June 13, 2026, 16:13 IST FIFA defends Guadalajara

FIFA Rejects 'Thousands Of Empty Seats' In World Cup Claim: 'Several Fans Were...' Published By, Last Updated: June 13, 2026, 16:13 IST FIFA defends Guadalajara attendance for South Korea vs Czech Republic, blames fans in concourses, as critics attack high World Cup ticket prices. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, June 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner) FIFA has vehemently rejected the claims that ‘thousands’ of seats were empty during South Korea’s 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara. It stood by its official attendance figures of 44,985 inside the 46,000-capacity stadium for the Group A clash, saying the seats that looked empty were because many fans were ‘standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats’.

Journalists on the ground supported what was seen on TV. The optics contrasted sharply with the tournament opener at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, where more than 80,000 fans packed the stands for the match between Mexico and South Africa, especially because Guadalajara has a strong football culture. This led to severe criticism of the international body for its purported mismanagement. FIFA, in its statement, said, “Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned, and spectators present within the stadium footprint, rather than visual assessments of seating occupancy at any given moment during the match. FIFA works closely with stadium authorities and ticketing teams to ensure all published figures are based on verified operational data. Please note that, during last night’s match in Guadalajara, several ticketed fans could be seen standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match." There were clear mitigating factors.

The participating teams weren’t among the hosts or the best teams in the competition, and were playing thousands of miles away from their countries. Yet, many fans outside the stadium pointed to soaring ticket costs as the primary reason. That again drew attention to FIFA’s ticketing issues that have marred the tournament. The issue has become a major talking point during the opening days of the World Cup, with critics arguing that prices have placed matches beyond the reach of ordinary supporters. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has labelled the prices excessive, arguing that World Cup tickets are significantly more expensive than those at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Reports suggest even the cheapest seats cost hundreds of dollars, while premium tickets reach several thousand dollars. Critics have also questioned FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing and its control of the resale market, arguing that the system has prioritised revenue generation over accessibility for traditional football fans.