MEXICO CITY | South Korea opened the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic on Friday, turning an early second-half deficit into three points through goals from Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeon-gyu. The match delivered the tension expected from a global tournament opener, but the visible empty seats at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca created a second story about whether ticket prices are limiting access to an event promoted as the largest World Cup ever.
The Czech Republic took the lead in the 59th minute when Ladislav Krejci finished a set-piece opportunity. South Korea responded eight minutes later as Hwang In-beom scored the equalizer, changing the momentum and forcing the Czech defense to absorb more pressure. Oh Hyeon-gyu completed the comeback in the 80th minute, giving South Korea its first victory in an opening World Cup match since 2010.
The official attendance was announced at 44,985, but large sections of seats appeared empty. Reuters reported that the scene renewed criticism of ticket pricing after FIFA introduced dynamic pricing and faced complaints from supporters. Empty seats at a high-profile opener are not proof that interest is weak; they may reflect price, distribution, travel or unused allocations. They nonetheless matter because atmosphere and broad access are central to the tournament’s public identity.
South Korea’s performance showed patience after falling behind. The team did not abandon its structure or rely only on desperate crosses. The equalizer came quickly enough to keep the match from settling into Czech control, and the winner rewarded sustained movement in the final third. Protecting the lead through the closing minutes demonstrated the composure needed in a short group stage.
The Czech Republic will regret allowing the response so soon after scoring. A lead in an opening match can create a temptation to defend deeper, but yielding territory gave South Korea more opportunities to attack. The defeat does not end the Czech campaign, though it increases pressure on the remaining group matches and makes goal difference more important.
For South Korea, the result eases immediate pressure and creates a clearer route toward the knockout stage. Three points in the opener allow a team to manage risk differently in later matches. It can still attack, but it is not forced into desperation. The coaching staff will review defensive set pieces after conceding to Krejci, while taking confidence from the response.
The tournament format and expanded field create many paths through the group phase, but early points remain valuable. Teams are adapting to travel across the United States, Canada and Mexico, varying climates and large distances. Squad depth and recovery may become as important as tactical quality, especially for players arriving after long club seasons.
Ticket access will remain under scrutiny. Dynamic pricing can increase revenue when demand is high, but it can also price out local supporters and create the appearance of scarcity without filling the stadium. FIFA and organizers must decide whether maximizing the price of each seat is compatible with the atmosphere and social legitimacy they want from the tournament.
Unused sponsor or hospitality allocations can also contribute to empty sections. Organizers should release unclaimed inventory earlier and make last-minute tickets available through secure official channels. A seat that remains empty produces no atmosphere and no local economic activity, even if it was technically sold.
The issue is particularly sensitive in Mexico, where football culture is deep and public enthusiasm is strong. Supporters may resent seeing empty seats at a match they could not afford. Clear disclosure of attendance, pricing tiers and release policies would help distinguish genuine affordability problems from distribution failures.
Security and transportation affect attendance as well. Fans need reliable information about entry times, prohibited items and transit. Long queues can make a stadium look empty at kickoff even when ticket holders eventually arrive. Organizers should publish operational data after the match so the discussion is grounded in evidence.
On the field, South Korea provided the opening day’s most memorable competitive moment. Hwang and Oh gave supporters a comeback to celebrate, and the team demonstrated that a disciplined response can overcome a setback. The result will be remembered independently of the ticket debate, but the images of empty seats will follow FIFA into the next matches.
The tournament’s promise is scale: more teams, more cities and more supporters. Fulfilling that promise requires both high-quality football and credible access. Friday’s opener delivered the first. The second remains an active test.
Additional Reporting By: Reuters match report; Reuters ticket-price report; Associated Press; FIFA match centre; The Guardian live coverage