FIFA cancels World Cup tickets to about 60 fans who got them for free due to error

FIFA has cancelled World Cup tickets that were mistakenly issued to about 60 fans for free due to a website payment error. The governing body confirmed that the affected tickets were “allocated at no charge (0 USD) due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process.”

In a statement released on Thursday, FIFA said it regrets the error and any inconvenience caused. It added that while the tickets remain reserved, affected fans have been instructed to complete payment of the correct amount in order to retain their allocations.

The incident is the latest in a series of concerns surrounding FIFA’s World Cup ticketing system, which is currently under scrutiny by the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey over possible consumer protection violations. Reports indicate the mispriced tickets were issued through the official World Cup website on May 21, a date that came months after FIFA president Gianni Infantino claimed all 104 tournament matches had already sold out.

Despite ongoing sales, questions remain over pricing and availability for the tournament, which kicks off next Thursday in Mexico City. FIFA continues to operate a resale platform with a 15% commission on transactions, while third-party sites have also listed tickets for several matches. Critics have raised concerns about rising costs, as ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup are significantly higher than previous editions, which FIFA justifies as part of its revenue model to support global football development.