Daily Mail: Croatia vs. England match could embarrass FIFA

The upcoming World Cup match between Croatia and England faces the potential for empty seats due to exorbitant ticket prices, a situation that could embarrass FIFA. Despite FIFA's claims of "unprecedented demand," hundreds of tickets for the match in Texas remain available, but at prices many fans find unaffordable.

This scenario echoes issues seen in earlier tournament games, such as the match between South Korea and Czech Republic, where television footage revealed significant gaps in the stands, particularly in VIP areas. The cheapest available ticket for the Croatia-England game is currently around $867, with some packages reaching up to $9,225, including meals and VIP access. Even FIFA's official hospitality tickets are priced between $2,430 and $3,150.

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The cheapest available ticket for the England and Croatia match currently costs around 867 US dollars, or approximately 750 euros. Prices on some platforms climb up to 9225 dollars for a package that includes a meal and access to the VIP area.

Fan groups have criticized the high prices, arguing that ordinary football enthusiasts are being priced out of the event. FIFA, however, defends its pricing strategy, stating that the average ticket price is below $500 and that lower prices would only fuel the secondary market. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has compared the current system to those used for major sporting events in North America, suggesting that reducing prices would primarily benefit resellers.

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FIFA defended itself by claiming that the average ticket price is below $500 and that, in case of lower prices, tickets would end up on secondary markets at even higher amounts.

Despite FIFA's assertions of massive interest, the reality on the ground appears different. Reports indicate that nearly 180,000 tickets for group stage matches are still available through official resale platforms, with some prices exceeding $300. These costs do not include travel and accommodation in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Croatia-England match, one of the most anticipated games of the first round, could become a symbol of the challenges FIFA faces in its first World Cup with 48 teams and three host nations. The tournament has already encountered controversies, including the reported discrepancies between official attendance figures and visible empty seats during the South Korea-Czech Republic game.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that the current system is similar to that of major sporting events in North America and said that lowering prices would only increase the profits of resellers.