Dynamic pricing leaves World Cup Day 1 arenas sparse

Day 1 of the 2026 World Cup saw noticeable empty seats at Estadio Akron during South Korea vs. Czechia, with tickets in the most affected areas reportedly ranging from $400 to $5,000. Critics say dynamic pricing is inflating costs and hurting turnout, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends the model as preventing cheap secondary markets and funding football development; the opening Mexico–South Africa match, by contrast, was packed, highlighting the pricing controversy as the tournament unfolds.