FIFA has released official attendance figures for the 2026 World Cup following widespread criticism over empty seats during the tournament's opening matches. The governing body attributes the visible gaps to fans congregating in different areas of stadiums rather than their assigned seats.
Empty Seats Spark Debate
The tournament, which began just days ago, has already faced multiple controversies, including unruly scenes in Mexico City, visa issues, VAR disputes, tornado alerts, and unexpected results. Host nations USA and Mexico started with wins, while Canada drew with Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the most discussed issue has been the noticeable number of empty seats at various matches.
Sky-high ticket prices have been blamed for deterring fans, with empty seats visible at every game so far, including those involving host nations. FIFA, however, offered an alternative explanation, suggesting that fans were simply moving around stadiums rather than sitting in their designated spots.
Official Figures Show Near Capacity
Official attendance data appears to support FIFA's claim, with five of the eight matches played reported as full capacity. According to The Athletic, the largest discrepancy occurred during the Qatar vs. Switzerland match, where 861 seats remained unoccupied. Overall, total attendance across all fixtures fell just 1,574 short of maximum capacity.
FIFA stated: "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."
Scotland Match Attendance Questioned
The attendance figure for Scotland's victory over Haiti also raised questions. The declared 64,146 was announced as a "full house," despite Boston Stadium's reported capacity being roughly 500 seats higher.
The controversy is unlikely to subside, with tickets for knockout stage fixtures still on sale at exorbitant prices.
