Hundreds of tickets are still available for England’s World Cup opener against Croatia next Wednesday, potentially causing more embarrassment to FIFA.
The governing body have faced heavy criticism for the high price of tickets for matches at the tournament, with supporter groups claiming ordinary fans have been excluded due to the extortionate costs.
FIFA have repeatedly defended their position and boasted about an ‘unprecedented’ 500 million booking requests, yet they were forced to bring some prices down in an attempt to entice more supporters to the US, Canada and Mexico.
But the opening night of the tournament was marred by large swathes of empty seats at South Korea’s match with Czechia in Guadalajara – and this could be the case for several other games.
This includes England’s clash against Croatia in Texas next week, with hundreds of tickets still available on official and unofficial resale platforms.
The lowest price for a ticket is $867 (£648), with fans able to go all the way up to $9,225 (£6,900) for a ticket and meal package that has access to a VIP lounge.
England’s game against Croatia could be played in front of hundreds of empty seats next week
On several resale websites, hundreds of tickets are still available at sky-high prices
Meanwhile, hospitality tickets on the FIFA website range from $2,430 (£1,811) to $3,150 (£2,347).
The $2,430 ticket comes in the ‘Champions Club’ and it is described as: ‘Featuring Preferred Seating view seats located just steps from exclusive, vibrant hospitality spaces that offer premium beverage service and full-course dining, available pre and post-match.’
On another resale website, tickets for England’s second group game against Ghana in Boston range from £423 all the way to £4,354.
For the following match against Panama, the lowest price for a ticket via resale is £513, rising up to £6,678.
Speaking ahead of the tournament at a press conference, Infantino insisted the average price of tickets was below $500, and defended his organisation by saying the cost was comparable to what it was to attend big matches in US sports.
He added: ‘If you sell it at a lower price point, in this particular market it would have gone – which is perfectly legal in this country… in secondary markets at much, much, much higher prices and where would the money go then?
‘Well, to those who organise secondary markets or black market activities and not to football.
‘If we are doing something wrong, then probably everyone selling tickets in North America is doing something wrong, as well.’
Meanwhile, a report in the Financial Times earlier this week suggested almost 180,000 tickets for the group stage are still available on official resale platforms.
The report added that around 4,400 tickets were on the platform for the USA’s opening game against Paraguay on Saturday morning (GMT), with the cheapest ticket available directly from FIFA costing $1,120 (£838.20).
There were large swathes of empty seats at Czechia’s game with South Korea in Guadalajara
England face Croatia in their first group game next Wednesday evening in Texas at 9PM (BST)
Fans can enjoy hospitality for the Croatia game, but only if they are willing to spend a minimum of $2,348 (£1,811), which gets you a spot in the Champions Club
Tickets for some of the least popular group stage matches remain on sale for more than $300 (£223).
Ticket prices also don’t include the wider costs associated with attending the tournament, including travel and accommodation across North America.
During South Korea’s game with Czechia on Thursday, the stadium in Guadalajara in the west of Mexico was not full.
The stadium announcer claimed the 45,664-capacity ground had 44,985 people inside.
Yet TV coverage showed swathes of empty seats, particularly in VIP areas – far more than the 700-or-so that FIFA claimed were not taken in a city with 5.6million residents alone.
Mexico’s 2-0 victory against South Africa earlier in the day was watched by an 83,264 sell-out crowd at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, but the opening day of the tournament proved to be a chaotic one for FIFA.
Violent protests erupted outside the stadium ahead of that game as thousands of protesters hit the capital to voice rage over missing citizens and poor labour conditions.
The massive demonstrations were fueled by a coalition of multiple unions and activist groups marching to draw global eyes to the country’s severe domestic issues.
The most prominent groups mobilising included searching mothers’ collectives, the CNTE teachers’ union, federal judiciary workers and various transport organisations. In total, it was reported that eight simultaneous protests took place on Thursday.
Human rights groups have thrown a spotlight on the country’s staggering missing-persons epidemic, which continues to plague tens of thousands of families.
According to Mexico’s National Registry, there are currently 134,460 recorded missing persons across the nation, a figure that continues to rise rapidly.
However, some of the protests turned violent as petrol bombs and bricks were hurled at Mexican police, while others tried to force themselves into the Azteca without tickets.
Chaotic scenes broke out ahead of Mexico’s game against South Africa in Mexico City as protestors clashed with security forces
There were also chaotic scenes at the free admission fan park in Zocalo plaza near to the ground just over an hour before kickoff.
Access to the fan fest was hampered by metal barriers erected in recent days to prevent protesting teachers from reaching the area. But thousands of fans attempted to shove their way into the fan zone, according to AFP.
‘Stop pushing and shoving, there are children here, you’re like animals!’ a city official shouted through a megaphone as he tried to control access to the fan venue.
Some fans threw water bottles and hurled insults at police, as well as chanting in support of the Mexican team.
The local government then announced on social media that the site was ‘full’ and suggested fans go to other plazas.
Meanwhile, Shakira kicked off the tournament at a vibrant opening ceremony at the Azteca.
Alongside Burna Boy, she performed Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to headline the festivities.
In a spectacle of colour and sound, hundreds of dancers joined the Colombian singer, who turned heads in a neon yellow bodysuit and white miniskirts, on the stage at the centre of the pitch.
Thousands of fans went wild inside the Azteca as Shakira, who also recorded the official anthem for the 2010 World Cup, shimmied her hips amid the sea of backup dancers.
She lit up the arena with her signature dance moves and trademark high-energy as she was joined by a traditional Mexican mariachi band.
A massive gold replica of the World Cup trophy then erupted from the ground at the centre of the stage as a stream of dancers in brightly colored outfits burst out alongside the statue.
Shakira joined Burna Boy to perform Dai Dai the official song of the 2026 World Cup
The jam-packed show also featured performances from Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana and Tyla – all of whom featured on the first-ever FIFA World Cup album.
Shakira’s fellow Colombian, rapper J Balvin, was one of the biggest headlining acts at the ceremony, strutting on stage before Shakira’s appearance.
J Balvin, one of the biggest artists in Latin America, performed alongside singer Ryan Castro after Mexican pop-rock legends Mana warmed up the home crowd with their classic hits.
Mexican actress and FIFA ambassador Salma Hayek was then tasked with officially opening the tournament.
She delivered a short welcome speech before the ceremonial display of national flags and was later spotted in the stands alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
South African singer Tyla performed her nation’s national anthem ahead of kick-off, before she later took a seat alongside reggaeton singer Becky G, who, despite being born in the US, proudly embraces her Mexican heritage and supports El Tri.
The action continues this evening when fellow co-hosts Canada and USA are in action.
Canada take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto at 8pm (BST), before the US play Paraguay in Los Angeles at 2am (BST).
Which England star has 7 GCSEs? Who has lost half of his finger? Test your knowledge of Thomas Tuchel’s squad with our exclusive quiz HERE.
