Following the added theatrics to the national anthem ceremony for World Cup 2026, the lack of fans in only the second World Cup fixture of the tournament caused outrage on social media.
After a packed Mexico City Stadium for hosts Mexico's first game of the tournament, a considerably less amount of fans arrived to Guadalajara Stadium for Czechia vs South Korea.
Fans have hailed it 'embarrassing' with the biggest event in the sport unable to sell out on it's first day. Many factors go into attendances such as ticket price, accommodation cost and food and beverage prices but for such a big tournament it isn't the look FIFA were hoping for.
FIFA Responds To World Cup Attendance Criticism
An X post from @fifamedia posted a statement last night in response to the social media feedback.
"Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, rather than visual assessments of seating occupancy at any given moment during the match.
"FIFA works closely with stadium authorities and ticketing teams to ensure all published figures are based on verified operational data.
"Please note that, during last night’s match in Guadalajara, several ticketed fans could be seen standing in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match."
Beneath their post, the AI note created by X claimed against FIFA's claim that fans were in the concourse while the pictures were taken.
Fans Reject FIFA's Explanation
With pictures and video footage publicly visible for all those around the world, it caused greater backlash on social media.
The Guardian, The New York Times, BBC, CNN and Josimar journalist @Romain_Molina quote retweeted the post captioning it: "It feels like watching a four-year-old child pathetically explaining himself to his teacher because he didn't do his homework'"
With FIFA under scrutiny for the dynamic pricing model implemented for this World Cup, this is far from ideal for the international governing body of football, futsal and beach football.
With many diehard fans priced out or denied entry to the US, they will be forced to watch games at home. However, with European fans having to stay up as late as 6am to watch Australia take on Turkey.
Infantino Defends World Cup Ticket Prices
FIFA president Gianni Infantino replied to criticism of the astronomical prices, saying: "If you sell it at a lower price point, in this particular market it would have gone ... in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices and where would the money go then?'
Infantino defended the pricing as to eliminate the black market of ticket resellers.
"If we are doing something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong, as well."
A money maximisation approach was set and Infantino has stuck by it as the World Cup has kicked off and on day 3.
Could Attendance Problems Continue Throughout The Tournament?
With the gob smacking prices for a ticket, there are still hundreds of tickets for England's opener against Croatia, with the cheapest tickets costing £648 ($867) there are expected low attendances for the remainder of the games for non host nations.
A World Cup 2018 semi final rematch is set to have plenty of wiggle room in the stands.
