FIFA Faces Backlash Over Delayed World Cup Ticket Refunds

Frustrated soccer fans are claiming they are still owed thousands of dollars from World Cup tickets sold through FIFA's official marketplace, more than two months after the tournament concluded.

Spain defeated Argentina to win the World Cup on July 19. FIFA reportedly generated a record $15 billion in revenue from the event, partly due to high ticket prices on the secondary market. However, the governing body is now facing criticism from fans who say they have not yet received payouts from their ticket sales on FIFA's resale platform, which took a 15 percent commission from both buyers and sellers.

While FIFA stated that the majority of transactions have been processed, some fans are still awaiting their funds. One fan, who claims to be owed more than $15,000, told Front Office Sports that they will "believe it when I see it at this point." Another disgruntled ticket seller, who has reportedly inundated FIFA with emails, is considering legal action and described the treatment as "completely criminal" and "pitiful" due to a "lack of accountability."

In response, FIFA issued a statement acknowledging that a "limited number of payments have required manual review or additional customer information." The organization explained that some refunds could not be processed through the original payment method, necessitating customers to provide or update bank account details. Additional validation of banking information was sometimes required to ensure secure and compliant payments.

FIFA Ticketing is actively working on these outstanding cases, encouraging consumers with unresolved issues to contact customer support to finalize payments. The organization stated it is unable to provide a universal completion date for all pending cases but is committed to resolving all valid outstanding payments with necessary resources.

The World Cup's ticketing policies, including high prices and fees, were previously a subject of controversy. A picture shows Spain beating Argentina at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, to win the World Cup back on July 19.