LONDON: Thousands of fans risk being barred from World Cup games because of the volume of tickets being sold on unauthorised websites, accordint to a report from a cybersecurity company.

Researchers for NordVPN claim that four of the most popular ticket reseller sites — StubHub, Viagogo, Ticombo and Sports Events 365 — have been selling tickets to next month’s tournament in Qatar.

England matches are in huge demand on these platforms, with most tickets on sale for several thousand pounds, and the most expensive listed for more than 140 times their face value.

This is despite FIFA banning unauthorised sites from selling tickets to games. In its terms and conditions, football’s governing body states: “Tickets obtained from any source that is not expressly authorised by FIFA are not valid and will not be accepted”.

FIFA says it bans reselling for security reasons, to protect consumers, to tackle counterfeiting and ensure fair pricing. It even warns those flouting its rules they could be subject to “criminal fines and penalties”1.

A FIFA spokesperson told Metro yesterday (Sat): “FIFA regards the illicit sale and distribution of tickets as a serious issue and views the security implications of the unauthorised transfer and/or resale of tickets as being of paramount importance.”

They added that FIFA had previously taken legal action against Viagogo and other secondary ticket companies and, because of this, the Qatari authorities had blocked its website, preventing anyone in the country from accessing it.

NordVPN was recently able to find World Cup tickets for sale in a matter of minutes on the US sites of Viagogo and StubHub, as well as Irish site Sports Events 365 and German platform Ticombo. Seats were available across all group games and the knockout stages of the tournament — including the final where one ticket was listed for a staggering £18,397.

FIFA initially gave fans the chance to sell their tickets on its official ticket resale platform between 2nd and 16th August and in October opened another window to resell their tickets before the start of the tournament.

However thousands of ticket holders have already tried to cash in.

Some of the hottest tickets in town include England’s three group games against Iran, United States and Wales. NordVPN found England tickets on all four secondary reseller sites, with many on offer for well over £1,000.

A ticket for England’s opening group game against Iran on 21st November in Category 3, the cheapest tier for overseas fans, was being listed on Stubhub for $10,217 (£9,200) — more than 140 times its £65 face value. The same site also had a Category 1 seat for the Three Lions’ next game against USA on offer for $8,475 (£7,650), while another Category 3 ticket for the final group clash England vs Wales was available for $8,523 (£7,700). NordVPN’s research was conducted on 29th September.

With just three weeks before the tournament starts on 20th November, anxious supporters face paying well over the odds for tickets on unauthorised sites to avoid missing out. Worse still, even if these are legitimate they might not guarantee them entry to the games because of the FIFA rules.

The FIFA spokesperson added: “FIFA’s ultimate objective in the fight against the secondary ticket market is to prioritise the safety and security of fans and enforce a fair FIFA World Cup ticketing pricing scheme.

“FIFA reminds all fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the only official and legitimate website on which to buy FIFA World Cup 2022 tickets.

“Tickets purchased via unauthorised distribution channels may be cancelled once identified. FIFA reserves the right to refuse entry to the stadium to any holder of such tickets. During the FIFA World Cup 2022, FIFA and local authorities will conduct admission checks.”

Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, said: “Despite FIFA banning unauthorised sites from selling World Cup tickets, we were soon able to find thousands for sale on US secondary ticketing platforms.

“Football fans may be tempted to buy through well-known resale sites, but they’re taking a big risk. Not only will they likely have to pay massively inflated prices but they could also have their ticket cancelled without notice. It’s a long way to travel to see your World Cup dream, and ticket, end in tatters.”

#############