A mother from Long Island, New York, experienced a significant financial shock when her attempt to purchase FIFA World Cup tickets for her son led to an accidental £6,400 (approximately $8,100) charge for a parking pass. Elizabeth Saitta had intended to buy two tickets for a Brazil versus Morocco match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, costing £610 ($772), as a Christmas gift.
According to reports from NBC New York, Ms Saitta used the online ticketing platform StubHub for her purchase. After completing the transaction, she was reportedly stunned to discover an additional charge of £6,400 on her bill, which she quickly identified as an erroneous parking pass acquisition. She contacted StubHub for a refund within moments of the purchase, but her initial request was denied.
The situation only saw a resolution after NBC New York intervened and reached out to StubHub. Following this, the company reversed its stance and processed a full refund for the parking pass. A spokesperson for StubHub confirmed they worked with Ms Saitta to facilitate the refund, though they could not discuss specific account details.
This incident comes as the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicked off on Thursday in Mexico City. The United States is set to host a substantial portion of the tournament, with over 70 matches scheduled across eleven states, including the final on 19th July at MetLife Stadium. Despite the global anticipation surrounding the event, a recent poll by Emerson College indicated that a considerable percentage of US voters, around 45%, have little to no interest in the World Cup, although interest is notably higher among younger demographics.
The tournament has also faced scrutiny over the escalating cost of tickets, with many fans expressing frustration over the high prices. Even prominent figures, such as former President Donald Trump, have commented on the prohibitive four-figure sums demanded for some seats.