The sparse attendance has reignited controversy surrounding FIFA’s ticket pricing policy, which has seen some tickets for the final reportedly reach $5,785 and even five figures.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the dynamic pricing, comparing the World Cup’s significance to the NBA Finals, even though 180,000 tickets remained unsold ahead of the tournament.
Politicians in New York and New Jersey have initiated a formal investigation into FIFA’s handling of ticket sales, following complaints about a lack of clarity regarding online queues and inflated prices.
Despite the sparse attendance, South Korea defeated Czech Republic 2-1 in a gripping Group A contest, with Oh Hyeon Gyu securing the winning goal after Hwang In Beom’s equaliser.
