The News
Tuesday 23 of April 2024

FIFA working on solution for World Cup ticketing issue


AP Photo,FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2018, file photo, the Women's World Cup trophy is displayed at the women's soccer 2019 World Cup draw, in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris. Fans planning to attend the Women’s World Cup in France are finding out that the seats they bought might not be together. Tickets were made available to print Monday, May 20, 2019, and ticket holders learned that their groups were sometimes split up in separate rows and even sections, even families with young children. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
AP Photo,FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2018, file photo, the Women's World Cup trophy is displayed at the women's soccer 2019 World Cup draw, in Boulogne-Billancourt, outside Paris. Fans planning to attend the Women’s World Cup in France are finding out that the seats they bought might not be together. Tickets were made available to print Monday, May 20, 2019, and ticket holders learned that their groups were sometimes split up in separate rows and even sections, even families with young children. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)

Responding to criticism after some fans buying tickets for the Women’s World Cup were not given seats together, FIFA said it was working toward a solution with the local organizing committee in France.

Tickets were made available for printing Monday and ticket holders learned their seats were sometimes split up in separate rows and different sections — even couples and families with children were separated. The backlash on social media was swift.

On Tuesday, FIFA posted a statement to its website explaining that high demand for some matches, including the semifinal and final in Lyon, meant only single seats were available. FIFA also said that it estimates only a small number of fans are affected.

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