World Cup ticket line-up grows as empty seats spotted during South Korea-Czech Republic clash

South Korea opened their World Cup campaign with a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic in Guadalajara on Thursday, but the result was overshadowed by fresh concerns over FIFA’s pricing policy as thousands of empty seats were seen at Estadio Akron during the match.

While FIFA announced an attendance of 44,985 for the Group A match, the large number of empty seats in the 46,000-capacity venue reignited the debate over ticket availability for the first ever 48-team World Cup.

This problem continues during the tournament even before kick-off. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the governing body’s dynamic pricing model on the eve of the competition, insisting ticket prices were comparable to those at other major world sporting events. However, images of sparsely populated parts of Guadalajara added fuel to criticism from supporters and fan groups.

The contrast was particularly striking given the turnout for the tournament opener, with more than 80,000 spectators flocking to the Azteca Stadium to watch the co-hosts. Mexico beat South Africa 2-0. In Guadalajara, a city renowned for its soccer culture, the sight of empty rows prompted fresh questions about FIFA’s commercial approach.

Several fans at the stadium cited high ticket prices as the main reason behind the lower-than-expected attendance. The governing body has faced increasing scrutiny over its pricing structure, with Football Supporters Europe (FSE) branding ticket costs “extortionate” and warning that many ordinary fans could be priced out of attending matches.

According to the FSE, ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup have increased significantly compared to the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Reports also suggest that around 180,000 tickets remained available on FIFA’s official sales platform ahead of the competition, despite the organization claiming unprecedented demand.

FIFA insists interest in the tournament remains extremely strong. Infantino recently said demand had exceeded expectations by “a factor of 10 or more”, while the governing body announced sales of more than six million tickets for the tournament.

The pricing controversy has also attracted political attention in the United States. Lawmakers in New York and New Jersey have launched a formal investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices following fan complaints about a lack of transparency regarding online queues and final ticket prices.

Despite the off-field debates, the on-field action made for an entertaining match. The Czech Republic took the lead through Ladislav Krejčí, but South Korea responded strongly after the break. Hwang In-beom had previously leveled the scores Oh Hyeon-gyu scored the winner hand the Asian side all three points.

Supporters from both countries created a lively atmosphere throughout the evening and ensured the match retained its World Cup feel despite the visible empty seats.

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Issued by:

Saurabh Kumar

Published on:

June 12, 2026 1:04 PM IST