FIFA says a temporary website error during the World Cup 2026 ticket checkout process incorrectly resulted in some fans receiving tickets at no cost. Multiple outlets report that the problem affected about 60 supporters, who were allocated tickets for $0 due to a payment issue encountered during checkout. After identifying the error, FIFA reversed the incorrect allocation and told affected fans they must complete payment in order to keep their seats.
According to the reporting, FIFA’s position is that the tickets were mistakenly issued because the payment step did not function as intended, leading to allocations being recorded at zero cost. FIFA “regrets” the mistake and has asked fans to re-buy or pay the full amount, with timeframes mentioned by outlets including a deadline of about seven days to act. FIFA also is investigating the ticketing process, and some reporting notes that inquiries by legal authorities may be involved. The key point across sources is that FIFA acknowledges the glitch, cancels the free allocation, and requires payment from the affected fans to retain tickets.
