FIFA World Cup Ticket Resales: Fans Owed Thousands as Delays Persist
Fans who sold World Cup 2026 tickets on FIFA's official marketplace report payment delays, with some owed thousands of pounds as bank details are gathered.
World Cup 2026 ticket resales leave sellers waiting for payments
Fans who resold tickets on FIFA's official resale marketplace report that payments have not arrived yet, with some waiting more than two months. FIFA says additional bank details are required before settlements can go through, despite a promise that payouts would occur within 60 days.
The resale platform opened on 2 October, shortly after the tournament's ticket process began. The 15% handling fee applies to both buyers and sellers, and all prices shown are in pounds. The 2026 pre-sale lottery ran for 10 days in September, releasing around one million tickets; only Visa cardholders could apply. It remains unclear how many sellers are affected.
Personal cases
England supporter Iain is awaiting about £650 from a ticket he sold 65 days ago for Canada7s opening game in Toronto. He had hoped the money would fund England matches once schedules were confirmed. “FIFA is earning billions from this World Cup but cannot manage basic payment processing in time,” he told us, and the delays appear to affect many others.
A Mexico fan, who asked not to be named, says he is owed more than £8,000 from several sales made more than two months ago. “It’s frustrating,” he said. “I’ve even moved money to cover a credit card bill.”
Some sellers reported receiving emails last month asking for bank details, despite earlier notes that refunds would be automatically issued back to the original card used.
Context and warnings
While some buyers and sellers used the main resale window to move tickets before the draw, a large portion of listings also appear on unofficial resale sites. FIFA warns fans about third‑party platforms, emphasizing that its own marketplace is designed to shield buyers and sellers from invalid or unauthorized resales.
In response to criticism over pricing, FIFA said a limited set of cheaper tickets—about £45 in pounds—for all 104 matches would be available at a later stage. By comparison, some tickets in other categories have reached prices well above £6,000 for premium seats.
Expert perspective
Expert comment: A payments analyst notes that the delays point to administrative bottlenecks when handling large event refunds, even as revenue grows. He emphasizes the need for faster verification and clearer communication to restore fan trust.
Summary
In short, FIFA’s official resale marketplace is still processing payouts, with several sellers owed significant sums. The organization says it is collecting missing bank details to complete payments, and fans are urged to avoid unofficial resale sites. The situation highlights ongoing questions about the speed and reliability of refunds for major sports events.
Key takeaway: The official FIFA resale platform still faces payout delays, underscoring the need for smoother verification and faster refunds. Source: BBC Sport
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