Hundreds of seats went empty in Guadalajara, Mexico, as organisers were embarrassed by the low attendance at South Korea's first game against the Czech Republic.
The match in Guadalajara was played out with several empty stands, despite Fifa President Gianni Infantino boasting in April about receiving half "500 million ticket requests".
Infantino previously said: "In the last two World Cups together, we had 50 million ticket requests. Here, 500 million."
Despite this, the 45,664-capacity venue was barely full, with stadium announcers claiming an attendance of 44,985, leaving fewer than 700 seats officially unoccupied.
Hundreds of seats were left empty in South Korea's game against the Czech Republic
|REUTERS
However, broadcasts revealed a markedly different picture, with vast amounts of empty seating clearly visible throughout the ground, particularly concentrated in premium hospitality sections.
Fifa has been forced to slash prices across all 104 tournament fixtures in an attempt to draw supporters to venues across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Fans have voiced frustration over costs, with even the least attractive group stage encounters carrying price tags exceeding $300 (£224).
Tickets remain readily available through Fifa's official resale channels, including for the host nation's opening fixture against Paraguay in Los Angeles tonight.
TV cameras showed rows of empty seats in the second game of the competition
|REUTERS
Those in attendance saw South Korea come from behind to win 2-1 against the Czech Republic
|REUTERS
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The tournament's curtain-raiser at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium presented a contrasting attendance picture, with all 83,264 seats filled for the hosts' 2-0 triumph over South Africa.
An opening ceremony featuring Shakira alongside a performance pairing K-pop Demon Hunters vocalist Ejae with Andrea Bocelli preceded the action on the pitch.
But scenes outside the venue descended into violence, with demonstrators hurling petrol bombs and bricks at police officers.
Thousands of protesters converged on the capital, transforming what organisers intended as a global celebration into political turmoil that threatened to overshadow the entire opening day.
Raul Jimenez scored Mexico's second as his nation won 2-0 against South Africa
| REUTERSThe demonstrations centred on Mexico's missing persons crisis and deteriorating labour conditions.
Eight separate protests unfolded simultaneously across the city, organised by a coalition spanning searching mothers' collectives, the CNTE teachers' union, federal judiciary workers and transport organisations.
On the pitch, Mexico got off to a winning start against South Africa, which saw the co-host go top of the group on goal difference.
Goals from Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez helped Mexico win 2-0.
South Korea won 2-1 in their first game of the World Cup
|REUTERS
South Korea came from behind against the Czech Republic, after Wolves' Ladislav Krejci opened the scoring for the European side.
An equaliser from Hwang In-beom and the winner from substitute Oh Hyeon-Gyu helped South Korea to their first victory of the tournament.
Hong Myung-bo, South Korea's coach, said after the game: "The win itself makes me happy, but what's even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up."
Czech manager Miroslav Koubek rued "some mistakes", saying: "We played very well, it could have been a draw, and we could have won as well."
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