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An issue with the FIFA website accidentally gave away free tickets to the World Cup 2026, and now the lucky fans are being asked to pay.
Ticket prices have been a hot topic as we head towards the World Cup in the USA, as fans have been furious with the cost of some matches.
While some have managed to grab entry to certain games for less than the price of a beer, resale sites have seen listings as high as $11.5 million. In response to the backlash, FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised to give those who purchased the most costly tickets a “hot dog and Coke.”
So, a group of fans couldn’t believe their luck when they managed to unexpectedly snag free tickets.
World Cup fans charged $0 for tickets asked to pay
As reported by Sky, an error with the checkout on the website meant that around 60 fans were charged $0 by mistake. The tickets were seemingly supposed to be priced normally, but the order went through without actually taking any money.
“FIFA can confirm that approximately 60 FIFA World Cup 2026 fans received a communication on Wednesday, 3 June regarding tickets that had been allocated at no charge (0 USD) due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “FIFA regrets the error and any inconvenience caused.”
FIFA
But although the mix-up won’t cost these 60 fans their seats at the matches, they have all been contacted to ask for payment.
“The tickets requested by these fans remain reserved, and the affected fans have been invited to complete payment of the correct amount,” the statement continues.
According to an email that appears to have been sent to one of those involved by FIFA, which was posted online by ‘Ticket Talk Network,’ they have seven days to pay before they lose the reservation.
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The tournament kicks off on June 11 and sees Argentina trying to defend its crown in the US. It’s also been confirmed there will be a Super Bowl-style half-time show during the final, featuring Shakira, BTS, and more major artists.
