FIFA Owes Fans Thousands as World Cup Ticket Resales Stall

Intro: Fans who sold World Cup 2026 tickets on FIFA's official resale marketplace report payment delays, with some waiting months. INLIBER Sport investigates what is happening and how it affects buyers and sellers alike.

What is causing the delay?

FIFA states that payments are issued within 60 days of a sale, but many sellers report delays far beyond that window. The holdup appears to be linked to FIFA requesting additional bank details from sellers before funds can be released, a step that slows the payout process for some listings.

Who is affected and why it matters

The resale marketplace opened on 2 October, after a 10 day pre sale that offered around 1 million tickets. Only Visa cardholders could apply during that phase, and FIFA has not disclosed how many sellers are still waiting for payments.

Notable cases from fans

An England supporter known as Iain is owed roughly £650 for a ticket he sold for Canada’s opening game in Toronto, money he hoped to reinvest in England matches as fixtures were confirmed. He says, FIFA is generating billions from this World Cup but struggles with simple payments.

A Mexican fan, who asked not to be named, says he is owed more than £8,000 for several sales made over 60 days ago. He has even had to shift money to cover a credit card bill due to the delay.

Some buyers reported receiving emails last month asking for bank details, despite earlier notices that refunds would be automatically returned to the original payment card.

How the marketplace works and pricing

The official resale platform allows ticket holders to list seats at their chosen price, with FIFA taking a 15% fee from both the buyer and the seller. While the main ticket ballot for 2026 is ongoing, some fans who secured seats in earlier sales have already put their tickets back on the market. Unofficial resale sites are also popular in some cases.

FIFA has warned against third party platforms, saying its own marketplace is designed to protect buyers and sellers from invalid or unauthorized resales.

New and cheaper options

In response to pricing criticism, FIFA announced a limited number of cheaper tickets priced at £45 for all 104 matches. The World Cup final remains among the most expensive events, with some package prices reaching up to £6,615.

Expert comment

Expert note: Payment delays on a high profile resale system can undermine trust among fans. Clear, timely follow up from FIFA is crucial to restore confidence in the process.

Summary

Several fans who sold World Cup tickets via FIFA's official resale marketplace report significant delays in payments, with some owed thousands of pounds. FIFA says the issue stems from missing bank details, while critics highlight ongoing concerns about pricing and resale rules. The platform has introduced cheaper ticket options, but many sellers still await clarification and funds.

Key insight: FIFA’s official resale system has shown persistent payment delays, underscoring the need for reliable data collection and prompt processing. Source: BBC Sport

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