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Sport: SoccerCountry: South KoreaCategory: Playoffs

FIFA insists World Cup attendance figures are accurate despite empty seats

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 8:02 PM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

FIFA insists World Cup attendance figures are accurate despite empty seats
Summary

FIFA defended the attendance figures for the World Cup match between South Korea and the Czech Republic after images surfaced showing numerous unoccupied seats. The organization stated that the reported attendance was correct, countering the visual evidence that implied otherwise. This match is part of an ongoing and high-stakes tournament, prompting scrutiny over event management and spectator engagement. FIFA's response aims to quell concerns regarding the tournament's popularity and organization amidst noticeable gaps in the crowd.

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Key Details
  • •FIFA confirmed attendance numbers despite photos of empty seats.
  • •The match featured South Korea and the Czech Republic.
  • •Concerns over crowd engagement at the World Cup tournament.
  • •FIFA aims to address public perception regarding attendance.
Latest Updates
  • 2:41 AMYahoo Sports — FIFA explains empty seats at World Cup game
  • 10:26 PMYahoo Sports — FIFA backs official World Cup attendance figures despite rows of empty seats
  • 8:49 PMESPN Soccer — FIFA defends attendance despite empty seats
What they're saying
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Football governing body FIFA has stood by its World Cup attendance figures despite several empty seats during the second match of the tournament between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Mexico on Thursday. FIFA reported that a total of 44,985 fans attended the game in Guadalajara in a stadium with a capacity for 45,664 people.

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After rows of empty seats were spotted in the stands at Estadio Akron during South Korea's win over Czechia on the first day of the World Cup, FIFA has issued an official statement explaining the contradictory attendance figures

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FIFA insists the attendance figure for the World Cup clash between South Korea and Czech Republic was accurate after pictures appeared to show thousands of empty seats.

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