FIFA has confirmed that a technical error on its ticketing platform resulted in a small number of fans receiving free tickets for matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement posted on X, FIFA said about 60 fans were allocated tickets at no cost due to a payment issue during the checkout process.
The organisation said the affected tickets remain reserved, but the recipients have been contacted and asked to pay the correct amount to complete their purchases.
FIFA apologised for the error and any inconvenience caused, noting that all the affected tickets were for group-stage matches scheduled to be played in Toronto.
The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of ticket sales and resale practices ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
FIFA has faced questions over its ticketing system and pricing structure, with authorities in New Jersey and New York reportedly investigating whether some practices breached consumer protection laws.
The football governing body has also come under criticism over significant price disparities for match tickets across the tournament.
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