FIFA has apologised after a ticketing error allowed a small number of fans to secure World Cup tickets for free. The governing body confirmed that approximately 60 supporters received tickets at no cost due to a pricing glitch during checkout on 21 May 2026.
Affected fans were notified by email that their orders had been cancelled and refunded, but they were given seven days to repurchase the same tickets at the correct price. FIFA stated it regretted the error and any inconvenience caused.
The incident comes amid widespread criticism of the tournament's pricing strategy, with some tickets costing thousands of pounds. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended the prices, citing unprecedented demand.
US President Donald Trump also criticised the costs, saying he would not pay the high prices to watch the USA's opening match against Paraguay. The World Cup is being hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico.
