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The flags of South Korea and Czech Republic are displayed on the pitch prior to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A soccer match between South Korea and Czech Republic at Guadalajara Stadium. -/YNA/dpa
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. That would represent an attendance rate of 98.5%. However, many empty seats could be seen on TV.
FIFA explained that there were many empty seats because several fans preferred to stand "in concourses rather than staying in their assigned seats throughout the match."
"Official attendance figures reflect the number of tickets scanned and spectators present within the stadium footprint, rather than visual assessments of seating occupancy at any given moment during the match," the federation said.
According to official figures, 29 matches were sold out before the tournament kicked off on Thursday, while tickets were still available for 75 games.
The high ticket prices for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico have drawn to widespread criticism. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the prices on Wednesday, saying some World Cup tickets were on offer for less than it costs to see a US college game.
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