World Cup crowd gaps expose backlash over ticket prices

Hundreds of seats were left empty during Thursday night’s World Cup second-round match between the Czech Republic and South Korea, despite FIFA chief Gianni Infantino’s claim just a day earlier of “unprecedented” demand for tickets. The optics were awkward for FIFA, which had said 500 million ticket requests had been received.

The match was played in Guadalajara, where the stadium was not full even though the announcer reported 44,985 spectators. The venue could have held more than 500 additional fans, and television coverage showed visible empty rows, especially in the expensive VIP sections.

Ticket prices had already triggered criticism around the world, including protests in Mexico City, where the game was held according to the report. Fans complained that even the cheapest unwanted seat in the stadium started at $300, making access difficult for many supporters.

The article also noted that after the tournament began, thousands of tickets were still available through official sales, including for the United States versus Paraguay opener in Los Angeles. The situation underscored the gap between FIFA’s demand claims and the actual turnout in the stands.