The 2026 World Cup has barely begun and it already has its first major discussion off the field. After an opening match with more than 80 thousand spectators at Estadio Azteca for the clash between Mexico and South Africa, the next game, between South Korea and the Czech Republic in Guadalajara, drew attention because of the many empty seats visible in the broadcasts.
The stadium announcer stated that, in the venue with a capacity of 45.664 people, there were 44.985 people inside during the game. However, the television coverage showed large sections of empty seats, especially in the VIP areas, many more than the approximately 700 that FIFA said went unoccupied in a city of 5,6 million inhabitants.
Many fans compared both matches and wondered whether this was one of the most lackluster starts to a recent World Cup match. Others pointed to factors such as ticket prices or the appeal of the matchup to explain the contrast.
Whatever the reason, photographs of the stadium with clearly empty sections are already circulating online and have sparked an entertaining debate among fans: is it just a simple quirk of the schedule or a warning sign for the rest of the tournament?