FIFA owes fans thousands in World Cup resale refunds
Fans who sold World Cup 2026 tickets on FIFA’s official resale marketplace report long payment delays, leaving some sellers waiting for refunds worth thousands of pounds and prompting questions about the process.
Thousands of fans who sold World Cup 2026 tickets on FIFA's official resale marketplace say they are still waiting for payments. FIFA promises payouts within 60 days, but some sellers report delays and growing frustration with the process.
INLIBER Sport found that delays appear to stem from FIFA needing additional bank details before refunds can be processed. The delays trace back to the September pre-sale draw, when one million tickets were released over 10 days and Visa cards were the only accepted method.
FIFA declined to comment on the delays when asked for a statement.
England supporter Iain says he is owed about £650 for a ticket sold 65 days ago for Canada's opening game in Toronto, funds he had hoped to use for England seats after the fixtures were confirmed.
'Fifa are generating billions from this World Cup but can't seem to do basic payment processing on time,' he said. 'The delay looks to be affecting many people.'
A Mexico fan, who asked not to be named, shows evidence he is owed more than £8,000 for sales completed over 60 days ago.
'It sucks, they just seem to be fumbling around,' he said.
Some sellers reported receiving emails last month asking for bank details, even though earlier messages promised refunds to the original card.
The resale marketplace opened on 2 October, letting ticket holders list their seats at any price. The platform charges a 15% fee from both buyers and sellers.
While the main ticket ballot opened later, some fans who secured seats in earlier sales phases have already resold tickets on the official platform. At the same time, many tickets appear on unofficial resale sites.
FIFA warns against using third-party platforms, saying its marketplace is designed to protect against invalid or unauthorized resale.
Earlier this week, FIFA announced a small batch of cheaper tickets priced at £45 for all 104 matches, in response to price criticisms. The World Cup final can cost up to £6,615.
Expert comment
Expert view: Delays in refunds highlight the need for clearer data collection and faster payouts to protect fan trust. Clear, timely communication is essential for future ticket sales.
In short, refunds are delayed for several sellers, and FIFA's payment process is under scrutiny. The introduction of cheaper tickets aims to address price concerns, but confidence in the resale system remains fragile. Fans are calling for quicker, clearer updates and smoother payments moving forward.
Key insight: FIFA's official resale platform must streamline payments and refunds to restore fan trust, as delays keep sellers waiting. BBC Sport
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