Azteca Stadium staff arrested for attempting to sell World Cup credential

An unnamed 24-year-old member of staff at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium was arrested for attempting to sell his World Cup 2026 accreditation credential. According to Le Parisien, the individual was offering access rights for €130.

The arrest highlights security vulnerabilities at tournament venues as officials attempt to manage access during the expanded 48-team World Cup being co-hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Credential fraud poses risks to venue security and could enable unauthorized access to restricted areas.

Azteca Stadium, one of Mexico's primary World Cup venues, has been hosting multiple group-stage matches throughout the tournament, which began June 11 and runs through July 19. FIFA's security protocols are designed to prevent such breaches, though the incident demonstrates ongoing challenges in credential management.