FIFA is facing backlash after delaying payments worth thousands of dollars to some resellers of 2026 World Cup tickets, with instances that appear to violate its own legal terms and conditions.
Multiple fans have told The Athletic, and hundreds more have voiced complaints online, that they have not received payment from FIFA months after their tickets were purchased by other buyers on the official resale platform. The buyers paid FIFA directly, and while the organization has quickly distributed funds in some cases—after taking a 15% cut from both parties—other sellers face significant delays.
Some resellers have been told their credit cards could not be refunded, asked to provide bank account details, and endured repeated rounds of emails and phone calls to track down owed money. Most eventually receive payment, but some have waited—or are still waiting—well beyond the 60-day deadline FIFA sets in its “Ticket Transfer and Resale Terms” document.
That document, last updated on May 6, 2026, states: “After the Marketplace’s receipt of payment from a Resale Purchaser, FIFA … will pay [the reseller] within 60 calendar days from the date of Purchase or such shorter period as required by applicable law.” An FAQ page similarly states payment will be made within 60 days if all terms are met.
However, some fans who sold tickets in the fall or winter remain unpaid. “It’s insane what’s happening,” said Marcos Medeiros, a Florida-based fan who resold multiple batches and waited over 100 days for part of his money. He and others have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission, and other bodies, hoping to hold FIFA accountable.
When asked about the delays, FIFA said in a statement: “While the majority of cases are completed as expected, some more complex cases require additional review and therefore take longer to process. Payment timelines can also be affected where customer-provided information, such as bank details, is incomplete or requires further verification. FIFA remains committed to processing all payments as efficiently as possible while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, security, and compliance.”
In some cases, a single reseller has been paid via credit card refund for one sale but told by FIFA it could not refund the same card for another transaction, despite using the same card around the same time. They are then asked for bank details. “It doesn’t make any sense,” said Matthew Elias, a Toronto-based fan who has waited nearly five months for payment.
FIFA explained that if the amount due exceeds the original purchase amount, it cannot be refunded to the card, citing payment card scheme rules and anti-fraud requirements. However, many fans say they provided banking information promptly, yet still face prolonged waiting. The inconsistency and lack of communication have left resellers frustrated, with some questioning FIFA’s handling of the resale marketplace.