Thousands of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been abruptly removed, occurring just days before the tournament. The event has already faced challenges with lower-than-expected interest among soccer fans.
Ticketdata.com estimates indicate that approximately 74,000 tickets were available directly through the official channels until Saturday. By the weekend, this number significantly decreased first to 44,000, and then to under 30,000.
FIFA has not provided a reason for this unexpected change. Ticketdata.com described it as an unspecified “sudden inventory removal.”
Fans have speculated online, suggesting that tickets might have been allocated to sponsors or other groups. Others suspect an effort to create an artificial scarcity, potentially aimed at boosting demand.
Newsweek reached out to FIFA through the organization’s online portal in Switzerland on Monday for clarification.
Resale prices for tickets have started to recover after weeks of decline. Businesses in host cities have voiced concerns about the lukewarm interest in this year’s World Cup.
The decrease in enthusiasm has been largely attributed to FIFA’s pricing strategy for 2026. Ticket prices have risen significantly compared to previous tournaments, drawing criticism from fans and some politicians in host states.
This story is developing with more information to follow.
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