FIFA has confirmed that a website error allowed around 60 fans to secure World Cup tickets for free before the tickets were later canceled.
According to football’s global governing body, the tickets were incorrectly allocated at no cost because of a previous payment issue during the checkout process. FIFA said the affected fans have now been given the option to repurchase the same tickets at full price.
“FIFA can confirm that approximately 60 fans received a communication on Wednesday, June 3, regarding tickets that had been allocated at no charge due to a prior payment issue during the checkout process,” the organization said, adding that it “regrets any inconvenience caused.”
Ticket Talk Network, a social media account known for highlighting ticketing issues, shared a letter stating that the fans have seven days to pay for the tickets. Otherwise, the tickets will be removed from their accounts.
The affected tickets are understood to be for group stage matches in Toronto.
The World Cup, hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 11. However, the ticketing error has added to FIFA’s recent problems around ticket sales.
FIFA had earlier promised that the tournament would be sold out, but tickets remain available less than a week before kick-off.
Last week, the attorneys general of New York and New Jersey launched an investigation into FIFA’s ticketing practices following allegations of “artificially inflating prices” and “misleading fans.”
FIFA is currently using a “variable pricing” model, which allows ticket prices to change during sales phases based on demand and availability.
The final open sales window began in April, with FIFA saying at the time that more tickets could be released right up to kick-off.
