FIFA ticket sales resumed Wednesday with technical glitches causing massive queues, while dynamic pricing plans drew fierce criticism from fans and politicians. The governing body struggled to handle demand after opening a fifth sales phase for the 2026 tournament, directing many users to incorrect links and leaving some waiting 90 minutes just to enter a queue. FIFA confirmed prices range from $140 to $8,680 for matches, with $60 tickets earmarked for loyal supporters per team, though details on availability remain unclear.

This comes after Italy's shocking failure to qualify, leaving fans of the four-time champions unable to purchase tickets for their nation's absence. The controversy intensified with a European Commission complaint over resale prices, which FIFA defends as legal under U.S. law despite claims it makes the event 'financially exclusionary'.