Many World Cup ticket sellers are still awaiting payments from FIFA, facing frustrating communication issues and extended delays past the promised 60 days.
After successfully selling tickets for the World Cup quarterfinal in Kansas City, Arik Shalmiyev thought he’d be celebrating. The 25-year-old Brooklyn native netted over $10,000 but now finds himself frustrated and out of pocket, waiting on more than $15,000 from FIFA for three ticket sales. With two months gone since the match, Shalmiyev shared, “To me, it doesn’t even feel like it’s my money anymore. I’ll believe it when I see it at this point.”
Shalmiyev's predicaments are echoed by many sellers who utilized FIFA’s official ticket marketplace. Several fans have taken to platforms like Reddit to voice their discontent, many citing inconsistent communications from FIFA regarding their stalled payments. Reports suggest that those who have received their payments often had to resort to persistent email follow-ups or even threatened legal action to receive their money.
According to FIFA’s guidelines for the 2026 resale marketplace, sellers were to receive their payments—after the governing body retained a 15% fee—within 60 days of the sale. However, as of now, it's been well over that timeframe since the World Cup concluded on July 19, and countless individuals are still awaiting their dues.
In communications with frustrated fans, FIFA has conveyed that delays stem from a high volume of transactions. A spokesperson stated that they’re “continuing to issue eligible resale payments and refunds and actively working to complete the remaining outstanding cases.” The challenges include instances where payments could not be processed because they couldn’t be returned to the original payment method. The spokesperson emphasized that “dedicated teams” are reviewing these unresolved cases to expedite payments.
Challenging Customer Service Experiences
Ticket sellers describe an increasingly maddening experience navigating FIFA’s customer service. Bart McKay from Waco, Texas, has been told multiple times since late August that he’d receive his nearly $1,900, but payments have yet to materialize. It’s particularly vexing for McKay, who volunteered for FIFA during the very tournament he’s now chasing payment from.
Shalmiyev, despite having been issued payments previously, has run into unforeseen issues with his bank account—an anomaly given that FIFA successfully refunded him on three separate occasions before this predicament. “What do you mean this doesn’t work? This is literally how you paid me,” he remarked, highlighting the inconsistencies in FIFA’s processes.
Others like Robert Forster from Colleyville, Texas, sold two tickets for a chance to see Lionel Messi play, bringing in over $3,000. However, after receiving emails from FIFA stating his refunds were in process, reality hasn’t matched expectation. Forster has relentlessly emailed FIFA—36 times—and is contemplating legal action, condemning the organization’s lack of accountability. “They’re making insane amounts of money on interest...and their lack of transparency is just pitiful,” he said.
Bigger Issues at Play
Chaun Basile, a Toronto resident, is also left waiting for approximately $5,000 after selling semifinal tickets. Despite similar reassurances from FIFA, the promised funds are still absent from her account. Basile’s disenchantment is evident as she reflects on the multitude of complaints flooding social media forums. “When I hear other people’s stories, it just irks me a little bit more. It’s really soured me on FIFA itself,” she admitted.
The World Cup ticketing process has been rife with headaches for fans from the beginning, characterized by high prices, ambiguous seat allocations, and escalating fees on the resale platform—all contributing to FIFA's impressive $15 billion haul from the tournament. Given the scale of these issues, numerous state attorneys general have raised concerns regarding FIFA’s business practices and some have even initiated formal investigations to examine potential misconduct in ticketing operations.
Forster, who purchased tickets in early April, was caught off guard by the chaos. “Should’ve foreseen that was going to be a bad omen,” he quipped, summing up a sentiment felt by many in the resale market struggling to navigate FIFA’s bureaucratic hurdles.
With such a large sum of money tied up and unsatisfactory communication from FIFA, ticket sellers remain in limbo, their faith in the organization severely tested. As they wait for clarity and resolution, the broader implications of FIFA’s practices loom large, putting both their finances and the future of fan engagement in jeopardy.
Given the ongoing challenges, fans may need to continue pushing for transparency and consistency in FIFA’s dealings, holding the organization accountable as they unearth unsettling trends in ticket sales and resales.
