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The 2026 World Cup finally got underway on Thursday night, but one of the tournament's biggest fears quickly became reality as visible patches of empty seats appeared during the opening round of matches.
While FIFA had spent months insisting demand remained strong, television viewers were greeted by noticeable gaps in several sections of Guadalajara Stadium during South Korea's opening Group A clash with the Czech Republic, raising fresh questions about the tournament's controversial ticketing strategy.
Empty seats visible during South Korea vs Czechia clash
The second match of the tournament provided the clearest example yet of the attendance concerns that have followed FIFA throughout the build-up.
Large pockets of empty seats could be seen around Estadio Akron, particularly in hospitality areas and sections opposite the main television cameras.
It came despite FIFA making a series of late attempts to boost sales, including reducing ticket prices and releasing large numbers of previously reserved hotel rooms.
Reports suggested that around 180,000 tickets remained listed on official resale platforms on the eve of the tournament, while thousands of group-stage tickets were still available directly through FIFA.
The issue follows months of criticism surrounding FIFA's ticket pricing model.
Prices for many matches rose significantly between late 2025 and spring 2026, while tickets for some of the tournament's biggest fixtures reached levels far beyond what many supporters could realistically afford.
The controversy has already attracted the attention of politicians in the United States, with investigations launched into FIFA's ticketing practices and growing scrutiny of how prices have been set.
FGG says: The stark reality for FIFA is many fans cannot afford it
The empty seats tell a story that FIFA probably hoped would remain hidden.
Football supporters have always travelled in huge numbers for World Cups, but there comes a point where even the most dedicated fans are priced out.
Perhaps even more telling is that neutral supporters are unlikely to spend hundreds of pounds to attend a group-stage match such as South Korea versus Czechia when cheaper alternatives, fan zones, or television coverage are available.
FIFA may point to overall ticket sales, but the sight of empty seats on opening week is a visible reminder that demand only goes so far when affordability becomes the biggest obstacle.
For a deeper look at the tournament from a betting perspective, check out our 2026 World Cup betting guide.