The opening days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been overshadowed by controversy, with widespread empty seats becoming a major topic of discussion among fans globally.
Empty seats have been observed at several FIFA World Cup matches (Image: FIFA via Getty Images)
FIFA has drawn scrutiny over its official World Cup attendance figures, given the noticeable number of empty seats during the initial matches.
The tournament is only a few days old, yet it has already been engulfed in controversy. Chaotic scenes on the streets of Mexico City have cast a pall over the opening games, while visa problems, VAR disputes, tornado warnings, and a few surprising results on the field have also made headlines.
Host nations the USA and Mexico both began with victories, while Canada secured a draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, the most debated issue of the tournament so far has been the conspicuous presence of empty seats.
Large sections of empty seats were visible at Estadio Akron as South Korea defeated Czechia 2-1 (Image: Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Meanwhile, Donald Trump made a questionable comment following the USA's opening match win.
World Cup tickets were priced exorbitantly, which appears to have deterred many fans, with empty seats evident at every match so far, including those involving the host nations, according to the Express US.
FIFA, however, provided a different explanation, suggesting that fans were simply gathering in other areas of the stadium instead of their designated seats.
Official attendance numbers seem to back this claim, with five of the eight matches played so far reported as sold out. According to the Athletic, the largest gap occurred during the Qatar vs Switzerland match, where 861 seats remained empty.
Join Gold Star!
Gold Star represents the newest phase in the Daily Star's evolution. Our 'premium' digital service has launched, providing you with more of our excellent journalism while reducing advertisements.
And if you subscribe, here's what you'll receive:
- A new ad-lite subscription service offering unlimited access to Gold Star and our app, along with a cleaner viewing experience with far fewer ads
- Access to exclusive subscriber-only articles tailored for readers seeking deeper stories. This includes unique insights from our writers and thought-provoking commentary
- Custom special offers, rewards, and competitions from our partners
- Access to our Gold Nuggets, the most interesting picks from the Daily Star - no searching needed!
- The most enjoyable experience with a daily news brand anywhere in the world!
Membership starts at Β£1.99 per month or Β£12 per year. These are Gold Star launch offers valid for the next 12 months, so don't miss out.
Click on this article to subscribe
Remarkably, FIFA's data indicates that total attendance across all matches is just 1,574 short of full capacity. "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," a statement read.
"FIFA works closely with stadium authorities and ticketing teams to ensure all published figures are based on verified operational data."
The attendance figure for Scotland's victory over Haiti also raised questions. The reported number of 64,146 was announced as a "full house" inside the venue and to broadcasters, even though the Boston Stadium's listed capacity is roughly 500 seats higher.
The dispute is unlikely to subside throughout the tournament, as tickets for knockout stage matches remain on sale at exorbitant prices.