Each host of the 2026 World Cup has now played, as the summer tournament begins to build in momentum. There has already been plenty of excitement on the pitch, with three red cards in Mexico’s opening day win over South Africa, while the United States burst into life with a 4-1 thrashing of Paraguay.

However, the empty seats at some stadiums have been apparent for those watching the competition so far. With FIFA hiking ticket prices to unprecedented costs, many fans haven’t been able to get to the games. Adding to that, visa issues have prevented others from coming into the US to follow their teams.

As such, it was no surprise when, in just the second game of the match, which saw South Korea come from a goal down to beat Czechia 2-1, there were large gaps in the crowd throughout the stadium. FIFA have since come in for heavy criticism after they addressed the situation with an online statement.

FIFA Deny Empty Seats at 2026 World Cup

Via REUTERS/Paul Childs

South Korea picked up three points against Czechia to move up to second in Group A, level on points with hosts Mexico, winning 2-1 at the Estadio Akron (Guadalajara Stadium) in Guadalajara. Fans watching on TV could see vast swathes of empty red seats, which would have been even more apparent if both national teams didn’t wear red for their home shirts, which meant many fans from each country arrived at the venue sporting those colours.

As criticism circulated over the lack of tickets sold, FIFA felt the need to comment. A statement insisted that the tickets had been sold and that the stadium only looked empty as ‘several ticketed fans’ were in the concourses during their game, and not in view in their seats:

The idea that the stadium looked empty simply because a few fans were in the concourses was deemed laughable by those online. The social media post was even hit by a community note on X, which read:

“Photos from the match show thousands of empty seats throughout the stadium, contradicting the claim of only several fans in concourses.”

This comment is backed up by The Athletic, which reported: “There were swathes of empty seats at the Akron Stadium, situated on the city’s eastern edge. These were particularly concentrated towards the pitchside VIP section at the centre of the east stand, but patches of red seats could be seen throughout — leaving what looked like thousands of empty seats in total.”

Despite that, FIFA claimed that the official attendance for South Korea 2-1 Czechia was 44,985, which is just under the official stadium capacity for the tournament of 45,664. All the images and reporting suggest there were far more than 679 empty seats.

Fans Tear Into FIFA Empty Seats Explanation Amid Costly World Cup Ticket Prices

FIFA President Gianni Infantino via REUTERS/Henry Romero

The real reason behind the lack of tickets sold is likely to relate to the prices. Tickets in the lower tier cost $500, while those on the sidelines at the top of the stadium’s bowl were priced at $400. Notably, however, the biggest gaps in the stadium appeared to be in the hospitality seating area, with tickets costing over $5000 if purchased by supporters, rather than given away by corporate sponsors.

Fans were understandably unimpressed with the claims made by FIFA, and soon took to social media to make their feelings clear. One asked:

Another added: “So people are paying extortionate prices just to stand in the concourse? FIFA is run by corporate liars.”

Along that theme, a third wrote: “Your ticketing website is a disaster, your ticket policy has been a disaster too, you should feel embarrassed by both.” Before someone else simply added: “We all have eyes to see.”

Another said: “Yeah ‘several ticketed fans’ on a concourse would really explain the clearly thousands of empties…” A final fan summed up the mood, saying: Hahahaha, that’s amazing. Maybe the best lie ever. Standing in the concourse, of course, they were.”

Manchester United could turn to a Premier League rival as they look to add depth at left-back this summer. Michael Carrick is set to be given a sizable chunk of cash as the club look to build on the relative success of last season that saw them finish third in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have had some rare success in the market of late, switching their focus to ensure a chunk of their business involves proven Premier League players. Such signings never come cheap, but there is a reduced gamble, and signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have helped prove that point.

United have already signed Ederson from Atalanta this summer, and they are now set to return to the Premier League fountain, according to a fresh report.

Hall becomes surprise target

One position United could do with more depth in is the left-back spot. Luke Shaw is getting no younger, and he has dealt with plenty of injury issues, while Tyrell Malacia has left the club, leaving only youngster Diego Léon as an alternative.

A left-back signing is highly likely this summer, and The Sun report that the Red Devils are considering a deal for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall. It’s reported Hall is upset with Newcastle over missing out on the England squad, with Eddie Howe having played him out of position and substituted him at half-time during the final run of games.

The report claims Newcastle maintain there is no rift between Hall and Howe, but United are still said to be hoping to exploit the situation by offering Hall a starting spot at left-back.

A price tag of £80million has been floated by some, which would make Hall the most expensive left-back of all time, ahead of Lucas Hernandez, who joined Bayern Munich for €80million back in 2019.

That would take a sizable chunk out of United’s budget, and they still need a starting holding midfielder this summer, along with some other bits and pieces.

Hall’s price tag is not without reason

Newcastle paid £28million to sign Hall from Chelsea as a youngster, and that proved to be a wise deal. He is now a staple of the Magpies starting XI at the tender age of 21, and there is still plenty to come from the England international.

Hall has attracted plenty of praise during his young career, but one of the more glowing reviews came from TalkSport pundit Jason Cundy, who said: “I think that consistently, Lewis Hall has been, without a doubt, for me, the best English left back in the country. He attacks, his positional sense, his weight of cross, his pass, his energy levels.

“He knows when to support the wide man, knows when to overlap, he’s a brilliant player. Lewis Hall, from when I saw him at Chelsea to now…I think he could actually move to a top five or six club in the world.

“I think he’s got that in him, I’m not joking, he could be at Real Madrid. I think he could be that good. It’s a big statement, but I’ve seen him develop and Newcastle fans won’t thank me for saying this, but he really is that good.

“I think he could [go on to play for Real Madrid]. You think about other left-backs around the world. We’ll see this summer where he really is. He is top, top drawer.”

Tottenham might just have set their sights on a new striker as they look to bolster their attacking options this summer. Spurs are on a major recruitment drive, with Roberto De Zerbi and the club’s chiefs well aware that big squad changes are required to turn a relegation-battling team into one capable of fighting for Europe.

The board are set to back De Zerbi in the market, and we have already seen evidence of that with the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while Savinho might just follow on a much pricier deal.

But the business won’t end there, with Tottenham still needing to improve a number of areas, including the striker position, which already has a hole.

Tottenham’s desperate need for a striker

Spurs are already a striker short, given Randal Kolo Muani is headed back to PSG after a disappointing loan spell. There is uncertainty over Richarlison’s future, and whether the Brazilian stays or goes will condition whether De Zerbi ends up needing one or two new frontmen this summer.

There are also justified questions over Dominic Solanke’s long-term future at the club given his injury issues and lack of goalscoring form, but the Englishman will be safe for the coming season, with Spurs likely highly reluctant to find themselves in a position where they need to sign three new frontmen.

Asllani emerges as option

One of the latest strikers linked with a Spurs switch is Hoffenheim’s up-and-coming frontman Fisnik Asllani. The 23-year-old scored 11 goals across all competitions in the season just gone, including 10 Bundesliga goals.

According to SportsBoom, Spurs have joined Ipswich Town, RB Leipzig and Barcelona in expressing an interest in the forward. Although, the Tractor Boys could drop out given their recruitment will likely be altered by the surprise exit of Kieran McKenna.

Asllani is a 6ft 3ins striker who is more of the hold-up mould, which does suit Tottenham’s current style of play, though he is clearly capable of finding the net given his solid return in Bundesliga this season.

Hoffenheim managing director Andreas Schicker said of the striker last season: “Fisnik is a highly talented striker who more than just hinted at his potential during his loan spell. His goals and assists speak for themselves. We’re absolutely convinced that he will take the next steps in his career with us and that he will bring us all a great deal of joy in the future.”

His former youth coach at Union Berlin, Andre Hofschneider, said: “He’s a guaranteed goal scorer. He always makes things look so easy. He knows how football works.”

Hoffenheim have the forward under contract until 2029 as things stand, and a reported asking price of between £21.5million and £26million has been floated this summer.

As far as Spurs are concerned, it’s not likely Asllani would be signed as the starting striker, but he could form part of the striker’s department as he continues to develop, with De Zerbi likely to carry three options up top into the coming season.