FIFA has confirmed that a website error temporarily allowed about 60 fans to secure World Cup tickets without making payment, before the transactions were quickly reversed and full payment demanded.
The governing body said the incident occurred due to a checkout malfunction that incorrectly processed some purchases at zero cost. It added that affected customers were notified on Wednesday, 3 June.
FIFA stated that it “regrets any inconvenience caused” and has given impacted fans a seven-day deadline to complete payment if they wish to retain their tickets. Failure to pay within the timeframe will result in the tickets being removed from their accounts.
The tickets in question are believed to be for group-stage matches in Toronto, as part of the upcoming World Cup jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The tournament is scheduled to begin on Thursday, 11 June.
The incident adds to growing scrutiny over FIFA’s ticketing system, with criticism already mounting over pricing and availability issues. Some tickets reportedly remain on sale just days before the start of the tournament.
Authorities in New York and New Jersey have also reportedly opened an investigation into FIFA’s ticket sales practices, focusing on concerns about pricing transparency and potential misleading methods. FIFA, however, has defended its use of “variable pricing,” explaining that ticket costs fluctuate based on demand and availability, and noting that additional tickets may still be released up to kickoff.
Elijah Adeyemi
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