FIFA claimed full house at World Cup match, but stands were half-empty

At the World Cup's second match, several sections of the stadium stood noticeably half-empty, despite FIFA's official announcement of a full house. While the opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City had full stands, expensive tickets are already proving problematic early in the tournament.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup began with an opening match and drama, as Mexico and South Africa's inaugural game will be remembered for its excessive red cards, which actually outnumbered goals scored. This was followed by an exciting encounter between South Korea and the Czech Republic. The tournament's opening match at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City played to a full house, but that brief idyll lasted only one match.

Already at the World Cup's second match, several sections of the stands were noticeably half-empty-a sight that raises questions about the organizers' and FIFA's pricing strategy. Despite this, FIFA officially announced that the stadium was at full capacity, which raises the question of whether unsold seats are permitted in the first place.

Ticket prices' impact on attendance

According to experts, the stands' partial occupancy could be due to exorbitant ticket prices, which are deterring many fans, particularly those who travelled without their national team. The World Cup is being held this time in the US, Canada, and Mexico, and the combined costs of accommodation, transport, and tickets could be beyond reach for the average fan.

Similar problems have been seen at other major sporting events in the past, where high ticket prices result in so-called ghost sections-seats that have been paid for but whose owners never show up. FIFA has previously responded calmly to such phenomena, citing official sales figures.