With the FIFA World Cup set to begin in just a few days, a significant number of tickets remain available through FIFA’s official resale platform. Nearly 180,000 tickets have been listed for resale, while approximately 15,000 group-stage tickets are still unsold through FIFA’s primary ticketing portal. Most of the available inventory relates to group-stage matches, and resale prices have fallen noticeably, with median prices dropping by around 20 percent and some tickets now available for as little as $69.
According to a report by the Financial Times, several matches continue to have large numbers of unsold seats. Around 4,400 tickets remain available for the tournament opener between the United States and Paraguay. Matches involving Iran still have roughly 16,000 tickets available, while Saudi Arabia’s group-stage games have an average of nearly 3,900 unsold tickets each.
The situation presents a potential challenge for FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who has frequently promoted the tournament as one of the world’s biggest sporting events. Large sections of empty seats, particularly during the host nation’s opening match, could prove embarrassing for organisers. FIFA has often highlighted the attendance success of the 1994 World Cup in the United States, which attracted a cumulative crowd of 3.5 million spectators.
One of the major concerns raised by fans has been FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing. This tournament marks the first time the organisation has taken complete control of ticket distribution. Supporters have criticised rising ticket costs, limited transparency in the sales process, and FIFA’s approach to managing ticket inventory. Under the dynamic pricing system, ticket prices fluctuate according to demand, often resulting in higher prices for popular matches.
Initial ticket prices were already considerably higher than in previous tournaments, with some categories reportedly costing several times more than equivalent tickets at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. For the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, premium “Front Category 1” seats have been priced at nearly $33,000. On secondary markets, some estimates suggest these tickets could fetch between $80,000 and $90,000. These prices do not include exclusive hospitality packages, private suites, or VIP experiences, which are sold separately through corporate channels.
Traditionally, ticket sales have accounted for around 10 to 15 percent of total World Cup revenue. However, FIFA is expected to generate approximately $3 billion from ticketing for the 2026 tournament, representing about 27 percent of overall event revenue. Critics argue that a combination of dynamic pricing and resale fees has significantly increased costs for supporters, making attendance less accessible for many traditional fans.
Ticket prices initially ranged from around $140 to $8,680 before demand-based algorithms adjusted prices upward for certain high-profile fixtures. Matches expected to attract strong interest experienced some of the sharpest increases. Many ticket resellers and scalpers purchased large quantities of tickets in anticipation of strong demand, but some have reportedly struggled to sell them as the tournament approaches.
FIFA has also introduced additional paid features, including a $79 option that allows fans to have their names displayed on stadium video screens before matches. While the organisation views these offerings as value-added experiences, critics argue they further increase costs for supporters.
The controversy surrounding ticket sales has drawn regulatory attention. Authorities in New York and New Jersey have reportedly opened an investigation into ticketing practices at MetLife Stadium, requesting internal FIFA communications related to the sales process and pricing strategies.
