Rows of empty seats at a World Cup match in Mexico on Thursday have reignited concerns over ticket prices and fan accessibility at football’s biggest tournament, despite assurances from organizers that demand remains strong.
The match between South Korea and Czech Republic at a stadium in Guadalajara drew an official attendance of 44,985, according to world football governing body FIFA. Yet visible pockets of empty seats around the venue sparked fresh criticism of the organization’s ticket pricing strategy for the expanded 48-team World Cup.
The attendance contrasted sharply with the tournament’s opening match at Mexico City’s iconic Estadio Azteca, where more than 80,000 fans packed the stadium to watch co-host Mexico take on South Africa.
For some supporters in Guadalajara, the sight of unoccupied seats in one of Mexico’s most football-passionate cities raised questions about whether ticket costs are preventing ordinary fans from attending matches.
Several fans at the stadium said prices were too high and accused FIFA of prioritizing revenue over accessibility. The criticism reflects broader concerns among supporter groups that attending World Cup matches is becoming increasingly unaffordable for many football fans.
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FIFA did not immediately comment on the concerns.
The debate comes as FIFA seeks to showcase the first World Cup featuring 48 teams, an expansion from the previous 32-team format. Organizers have promoted the tournament as a celebration of global football, with matches being played across multiple host cities and drawing fans from around the world.
On the eve of the match, FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the organization’s ticket pricing policy, arguing that prices were comparable to those charged for other major international sporting events.
Infantino said ticket demand had remained exceptionally strong, noting that FIFA had already sold more than six million tickets for the tournament. He also highlighted robust interest from fans across North, Central and South America, saying demand had surpassed expectations.
According to FIFA, requests for tickets have significantly exceeded the number available, reflecting what organizers describe as unprecedented enthusiasm for the competition.
Nevertheless, supporters’ organizations remain unconvinced.
Among the most vocal critics has been Football Supporters Europe (FSE), which has repeatedly warned that rising ticket costs risk excluding traditional football supporters from the sport’s premier event.
The group has described current prices as “extortionate” and argued that the World Cup should remain accessible to fans from all economic backgrounds.
FSE estimates that ticket prices for the current tournament have increased roughly fivefold compared with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Such increases, it says, place a significant burden on supporters already facing high travel, accommodation and food costs.
The issue has become a growing point of contention as major sporting events increasingly rely on premium pricing and hospitality packages to maximize revenues.
While organizers emphasize record ticket sales and global interest, critics argue that headline sales figures do not necessarily reflect affordability or accessibility. They point to visible empty seats at some matches as evidence that high prices may be discouraging attendance, even in cities with strong football traditions.
The discussion is likely to continue throughout the tournament as FIFA balances commercial objectives with demands from supporters for a more affordable World Cup experience.
On the pitch, South Korea secured a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic, giving their fans plenty to celebrate. Off the field, however, the debate over who can afford to be part of the World Cup spectacle appears far from over.
