Fake tickets to phishing: the scams targeting 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer travellers - canberratimes.com.au

SUBSCRIBE Log In Explore Travel / Destinations / International Fake tickets to phishing: the scams targeting 2026 FIFA World Cup soccer travellers The common traps football fans must avoid before buying tickets. Save Share 0 Soccer ball sculptures placed in Guadalajara in Mexico in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Picture by Francisco Guasco/EPA/AAP By Sarah Falson Updated April 29, 2026, first published April 28, 2026 Produced by ElevenLabs and ACM using AI narration. Listen to this article You have access to audio on this article for a limited time Dismiss In this article Where to buy tickets Ticket scams Travel scams When thousands of Australians travel to America for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in June and July, they'll need to worry about much more than whether their team will win. Scams across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico will be rife, and experts say travellers should beware. Dr Garth Lean, senior lecturer in tourism and heritage studies at Western Sydney University, said major sporting events create "ideal conditions for scammers because demand is high, people are under pressure to book quickly, and many are willing to take risks to secure tickets, accommodation or transport". Get exclusive travel tips, hidden gems & expert insights: delivered to your inbox Sign Up "The safest approach is to stay inside official channels wherever possible, because fake tickets, fake accommodation listings and inflated unofficial resale offers become much more common around events like this," Dr Lean told Explore. ADVERTISEMENT Ad WATCH: From historic to futuristic, catch a game at one of Los Angeles' best sports stadiums. Where to buy tickets FIFA says it will be releasing tickets in last-minute sales phases until the end of the tournament. FIFA.com/tickets is the official and preferred source for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets. It's also worth keeping an eye on the same website for the official Resale/Exchange Marketplace. "This platform enables fans who can no longer attend matches to sell their tickets to other fans in a secure and authorised environment, safeguarding against invalid or unauthorised resale," FIFA says. Ticket scams But as the World Cup gets closer, it increases the chances that desperate fans will risk a scam website to buy a ticket. According to recent research from software company McAfee, a quarter of fans would still consider themselves to be likely to purchase tickets from an unofficial website or source, despite the risk of scams. Tyler McGee, McAfee's head of Asia Pacific and Japan, said even though most fans are aware that ticket scams exist, "many will still turn to unofficial sellers when they feel rushed or shut out of official sales channels". A World Cup trophy on the field. Picture by Unsplash/Fauzan Saari ADVERTISEMENT Ad "Common red flags include tickets advertised as 'guaranteed', 'last chance', or 'VIP access', particularly when they're promoted through unsolicited emails, social media messages, or popup ads," Mr McGee told Explore. "These offers are designed to trigger fear of missing out and push people into acting without proper checks." QR codes are another emerging scam tactic, where scammers place printed-out QR codes near World Cup venues and crowded tourist venues. Scanning these codes takes unsuspecting fans to fake ticketing sites or phishing pages designed to steal personal or payment information, Mr McGee said. Read more on Explore: This FIFA host city is drawing Aussies in big numbers - here's your ultimate guide Think you know Hawaii? These 10 unexpected experiences reveal a different side Ultimate guide: how to find California's hidden gems beyond the tourist traps Other warning signs include websites that closely mimic official FIFA branding but use unusual or misspelled URLs, contain spelling or grammatical errors, or rely on unfamiliar or unsecure payment processes, he said. McGee said request for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers should "raise immediate alarm bells". Travel scams WSU's Dr Lean said beyond ticketing scams, people should "not underestimate the general risks that come with mass gatherings". "High-profile events with large crowds can attract heightened security concerns, including the possibility of terrorist activity," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Ad "Travellers should stay alert, follow local media, report anything suspicious and follow the instructions of authorities. "In practical terms, that means being careful not only with tickets, but also with bags, wallets, phones, cash and transport arrangements in crowded places like fan zones, stadium precincts, airports and public transport hubs." Make sure your accommodation listing is legitimate by using a reverse image search to make sure the images haven't been stolen from a legitimate rental. Picture by Unsplash/Jon Tyson McAfee's Mr McGee recommended using a reverse image search when booking accommodation online as scammers often recycle real property photos of use AI-generated images to create convincing fake listings. ADVERTISEMENT Ad These are the two most beautiful islands of Philippines - but which one is for you? He also said you should be wary about who you trust when you get there as scammers can pose as hotel staff, transport operators or tour guides. "Double check identities before sharing information, handing over valuables, or scanning QR codes," he said. He also recommended setting-up a VPN before travelling for added safety when using unsecured Wi-Fi networks. A spokesperson for Football Australia recommended Aussies heading to the FIFA World Cup look at the Australian Government's Smartraveller website - they also have a dedicated FIFA page - before they go. They said travel insurance is essential. Save Share 0 Words by Sarah Falson Sarah is ACM’s travel producer. She believes regional travel is just as fun (if not better) than staying in the big cities and loves any travel experience to do with nature, animals and food!. My all-time favourite destination is ... Cornwall. From the giant seagulls to the blustery beaches, Cornish pasties and fishing villages, it stirs something romantic and seafaring in me. Next on my bucket list is … Mongolia. I want to go somewhere really unique that feels totally foreign and challenges my way of life. My top travel tip is … Don’t plan too much. Walk the streets and let it happen. 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