Sport: Soccer Country: South Africa Category: Playoffs

World Cup opens with full stadium for Mexico, empty seats elsewhere

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 12, 2026, 3:34 AM

Last updated Jun 12, 2026

World Cup opens with full stadium for Mexico, empty seats elsewhere

Summary

The 2026 World Cup began with contrasting attendance across matches. Estadio Ciudad de México hosted a full house of 80,824 fans as Mexico faced South Africa, marking a vibrant opener. In contrast, the match between South Korea and Czechia in Guadalajara revealed rows of empty seats, raising concerns about ticket sales and fan engagement. As the tournament progresses, the impact of high ticket prices could influence overall attendance trends.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Estadio Ciudad de México hosted 80,824 fans for Mexico's match.
•South Korea vs. Czechia match showed multiple empty rows in the stands.
•High ticket prices may deter fans, impacting attendance.
•The first day of the World Cup showcased contrasting stadium experiences.

Latest Updates

3:34 AMYahoo Sports — 🏟️Sell-outs or empty stadiums, which way will the World Cup go?

What they're saying

"
A day of contrasts in the stadiums was experienced on the first day of the 2026 World Cup. A packed Estadio Ciudad de México stood in contrast to what was seen in the match between Korea and Czechia ...
— Yahoo Sports

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Soccer