FIFA announced Thursday it will cancel World Cup tickets that were mistakenly issued free to 60 fans because a checkout glitch listed the price as $0. The organization said the error occurred on May 21 when the ticketing portal failed to register prior payments. Affected buyers must now pay the full amount to retain their seats.

The mishap adds to mounting scrutiny of FIFA’s ticketing model, which already faces investigations by New York and New Jersey attorneys general for possible consumer‑protection violations. The body charges a 15% commission on both resale and primary sales, aiming to sideline third‑party dealers, yet platforms like SeatGeek continue listing abundant inventory for upcoming matches. Critics argue the fee discourages resale and inflates secondary‑market prices.

Tickets remain on sale as the 2026 World Cup kicks off in Mexico City next Thursday, but the episode underscores concerns that surge‑pricing could inflate costs for less‑popular games. FIFA’s move to control pricing internally follows promises made in 2018 to offer group‑stage seats at $21, a target now eclipsed by current market rates. The controversy fuels calls for greater transparency in FIFA’s pricing algorithm.