The report says has placed significant faith in mobile ticketing for this tournament. The technology can simplify distribution, reduce paper administration and give organisers more control over ticket transfers.
But the entrance remains the decisive point. A dead phone, weak signal, depleted battery or account problem can turn a straightforward ticket check into a queue at the stadium gates. At a World Cup, small delays can quickly become a crowd-management issue because thousands of supporters arrive within a narrow window.
The test is not whether digital tickets exist. It is whether the system works under pressure, across different devices, languages and levels of technical confidence.
The report also says thousands of tickets remain without buyers as the tournament gets under way. That is an uncomfortable signal for , particularly during an event designed to project global demand and commercial strength.
Unsold seats affect more than the appearance of television pictures. They raise questions about pricing, access, late sales and how effectively the tournament has connected with local supporters and travelling fans. If availability remains visible while fans struggle with entry procedures, criticism of the wider ticketing strategy will intensify.
has experience managing large tournaments, but the combination of untested access processes and reported ticketing gaps increases the margin for error.
The opening days will therefore be judged beyond the pitch. Supporters’ arrival times, queue lengths, gate performance and stadium occupancy will provide the clearest verdict on the plan. If entry runs cleanly and seats begin filling, the concerns may fade. If not, ’s operational choices will remain one of the tournament’s defining storylines.