Empty seats visible during a World Cup group match in Guadalajara have reignited criticism of FIFA’s ticket pricing and demand for the tournament. Multiple reports say FIFA records an official attendance of 44,985 for Thursday’s Group A game between South Korea and the Czech Republic at Estadio Akron, a stadium with capacity of about 46,000. Despite the attendance figure, large sections of the ground appear unfilled, prompting fans to point to steep ticket prices as a key reason for the gaps. One outlet also contrasts the turnout with the day before’s opener, where more than 80,000 people reportedly attended the Mexico co-hosting match at Estadio Azteca. Reuters and other sources frame the issue as renewed concern over whether pricing for the expanded World Cup affects attendance patterns. While the exact size and distribution of empty seats can vary by broadcast and viewpoint, the consistent reporting is that substantial areas remain unsold or unoccupied during the match, leading to renewed public debate over FIFA’s ticketing strategy.