Soccer fans are scrambling for opening-match tickets as World Cup 2026 begins in 7 days. There has been no respite for fans, as the cheapest group stage tickets were around $60 to $120, while the finals ranged from $2,000 to $7,800 or more. But on June 3, around 60 lucky fans received tickets at $0 and were overjoyed. However, their joy was short-lived as FIFA has now cancelled those bookings, leaving fans with only one option to keep their seats!On June 5, FIFA clarified that the $0 charge was a system error, not a legitimate free allocation. The tickets were primarily for matches in Toronto, Canada.

“FIFA can confirm that approximately 60 fans received a communication on Wednesday, 3 June regarding tickets that had been allocated at no charge due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process,” the statement said. “The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount. FIFA regrets the error and any inconvenience caused.”

The affected tickets were not lost, but placed on temporary hold. To help fans avoid losing their seats, FIFA offered a short window to complete payment.

“To ensure you do not miss the opportunity to attend the FIFA World Cup 2026, we have reserved the same ticket(s) for you to purchase at the correct price. This ticket(s) will be available for purchase through your FIFA ticketing account for 7 days from the date of this message. If the purchase is not completed within this period, the reserved ticket(s) will be removed from your account,” the email added. This is not the first time FIFA’s ticketing system has faced issues.

Some supporters got unclear emails in February 2026 that included missing or incorrect purchase windows. The same queuing, waiting and booking problems were also reported for earlier sale periods. However, the recent event, though small, is on the heels of the current high-demand and high-scrutiny ticketing process for FIFA.

US Subpoenas put FIFA under pressure over World Cup ticketing practices

The attorney general of New York and New Jersey have issued subpoenas to FIFA as part of a formal investigation into its ticketing practices. The probe will be on accusations of unclear pricing, seat classifications changing, and whether fans were adequately explained what they were being charged for. It includes matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including the final on 19 July.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport have asked for some of the company’s internal documents containing information on how ticket prices were determined and how tier levels were pitched during sales. The investigation is based on complaints from some fans that seats they bought were not as described.

Officials have also expressed concerns about FIFA’s variable pricing, which involves varying ticket prices depending on demand. Critics say that it has caused a quick spike in prices when it comes time to sell, and that many fans end up paying more than the price they thought they were getting for the game.

“FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity and impossibly high prices,” the New Jersey attorney general added.

Meanwhile, consumer groups in Europe have made their own complaints to the European Commission, alleging that FIFA’s pricing system is unclear and unfair. The discrepancy between the advertised prices and actual availability has left many supporters disheartened. FIFA has defended itself, citing the strong demand from around the world and also noting that the number of requests for tickets for the tournament is over a million. It claims that its pricing structure is driven by demand and aids in allocation across venues.

At the time of reporting, FIFA has not given a detailed public response to the subpoenas.