The news of BTS possibly performing for the WORLD CUP in Doha may have set a lot of fans around the world in a frenzy, me included:
That tiny word “MAY” literally brought me to FIFA website for a chance at a possible availability at the Opening Ceremony. And having inquired and bought tickets beforehand (already have one for the KOREA-URUGUAY match on Nov24), I tried my luck again for the Opening Ceremonies which also features the first match of Qatar. I was surprised to know upon checking AL BAYT STADIUM (match venue) and QATAR (team), that there’s still an available slot!
Very thrilled with what I saw, called my wife and told her about the news (probably some of you may have noticed where my mistake will be later on). My mind was already singing RUN BTS and I immediately grabbed the chance and booked it while over the phone and told my wife, “I’m just informing you, hehehe”. Note that at this point, all ticket sales will have to be paid immediately and are non-refundable. I have to do the booking as fast as I can since I only have 15 minutes to decide and encode necessary information like name, passport or QID, and birthdates. If you are buying 3 tickets then all these details must be entered.
TRANSACTION WAS DONE and the email notification came. And while looking at it… my mind went blank… and for a few minutes, I was just staring at… T-H-E D-A-T-E! I immediately checked the match calendar and alas! Realized that I made a booking mistake. What had just happened? Booked 3 Cateory-2 tickets worth 600QR each – on a wrong date. GOOD JOB ZEKE! The Opening match for Qatar will be on Nov 21 not Nov 29, and against Ecuador not with Netherlands. I was very angry at myself for almost wasting Qr1800 for a simple oversight.
Was trying to argue with myself: “But that was the first entry that came when I typed QATAR match and therefore I immediately concluded that it was the first match/Opening Ceremonies”. I was waiting for the “whale moment” from Extraordinary Attorney Woo…. but it didn’t come, I just lost money!
SAVING GRACE
I remember that earlier that day, I was also supposed to repost the update from FIFA regarding TICKET RESELLING (full details HERE) as part of Best Life Qatar FIFA PRIMER:
RESALE WINDOW: The Resale Platform will be open from 02 August 2022 till 16 August 2022 at 11:00 CEST / 12:00 (midday) Doha time. However, FIFA Ticketing makes no guarantee that any ticket submitted to the Resale Platform will be successfully resold.
So I immediately went back to my FIFA account, clicked TICKETS TO RESELL, and then tagged my latest purchased ticket for reselling.
Even tried sending an email to inform them that I’m not trying to make a refund but if they can transfer us for the Opening Match will be appreciated. But I know this was a long shot (sending an email to a big organization such as FIFA) and my only hope is for QATAR to win the first game and that will boost an interest for someone to buy my ticket for the second match. Trying to sound confident by telling my wife – “maybe they’re not yet buying their tickets now… but they will… few days before the match”. And I left everything to faith.
You know how difficult it is to stay positive and focused when the other side of your brain is still battling about the error and the possible money loss.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Ticket Resale Notification
An email came early morning of the following day. Could it be good news or bad news?
Dear EXEQUIEL TUNAY,
Your Ticket Application number is: *******
One or more tickets submitted for resale have been successfully resold. Please visit your Ticketing Account for more details regarding the tickets you have submitted to the Resale Platform.
This means that, following your resale request, the ticket(s) listed above have been purchased by another customer and are therefore not available for your own use anymore.
Hallelujah! It was a sigh of relief and even a 30-day wait for the refund is nothing compared to the joy of saving the money and learning from this mistake.
TICKET RESELL IS ONLY THRU FIFA WEBSITE
FROM THE FIFA WEBSITE: “The Official Ticket Resale Platform provides an opportunity for an original purchaser of a ticket purchased in accordance with the Online Ticket Terms of Sale for General Public (including a purchaser of a ticket on the Resale Platform) to obtain a refund of a portion of the price they paid for any such ticket that they no longer wish to use for themselves or a guest, subject to FIFA Ticketing being able to resell the ticket to a resale ticket purchaser.”
It was published in a local newspaper that a fine of no more than QR 250,000 will be imposed on anyone who issues, sells, resells, or exchanges tickets without permission from FIFA, Ministry of Justice said in a post on Twitter.
Additionally, according to the FIFA website, “you may not, whether physically or online, offer for sale, sell, offer at auctions, give away or otherwise transfer or attempt to transfer, or engage a third party to facilitate or solicit offers for the transfer of tickets under any circumstances, including any use or attempted use of tickets for advertising, promotions, incentive programmes, sweepstakes, contests, giveaways or raffles or as part of hotel, flight, hospitality or travel packages, or other commercial purposes, except as expressly authorized in writing by FIFA Ticketing, or as permitted by the Ticket Terms of Use.”
LESSON LEARNED
REVIEW TICKET DETAILS before purchasing. Luckily, this incident just happened during the resell window (August 2-16), otherwise, it will really be a headache and a big waste of money.
However, we are still manifesting that the news of “BTS MAY VISIT DOHA” will eventually be changed to “BTS WILL VISIT DOHA” very soon. Also manifesting for ticket sale reopening for the OPENING CEREMONIES (where the performance is likely to happen). Otherwise, it won’t hurt if BTS will grace the first match of KOREA in EDUCATION CITY STADIUM on Nov24, hehehe.
More than anything else, I really praise God for this unmerited favor.
Hi Zeke! That’s quite a story! Just curious, have you received the refund yet? I have also successfully resold 1 fifa ticket during the resell phase but I am still waiting for the refund.
Sadly not yet… i already sent a followup email to several FIFA emails but not reply yet. Hopefully it will be soon.
Same case with me, where are you sending them mails for refund?
Please try this https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/contact-fifa/contact-form
hello, iun the comment section i shared a link where you can report your case. However you will only be receiving a standard reply but lets hope the system will record all our followups.
Hello. i was able to get a link where to inquire for the refund. I already sent an inquiry. You can also send here (lets try and hope it works): Hello, thank you for contacting us! Please if you haven’t yet received your refund, or any enquiries regarding tickets, please contact the relevant support team 👇
https://fifa.powerappsportals.com/hi-IN/qatar2022/case-creation/
Hi, similar case, resale the ticket and waiting for the refund, also sent multiple inquiries using above link but always get a reply with long rules and regulation page. No clue, previously in WC they start refunds after the final, let’s see what will happens
Waaaaah after the finals? That’s way too long than their 30-day promise. I hope someone will really look into it as THEY ARE PROMOTING THE RESALE on many news sites in Qatar. If this will turn out to be a frustrating option then better also mention it. But still hoping someone’s working on this.
Hi, just an update (as of 12midnight Doha Time Oct 11). I checked my email and received this notification – see below. Will keep you posted if an actual refund has been made so please check your emails as well and if you havent sent a report via the link i sent before, please do so. i’l be confirming this to my back tomorrow. LETS ALL KEEP IN TOUCH and hoping that everyone gets our refund soon (we’re eager to book for other match as well).
FWC 2022 Enquiries (FIFA Ticketing)
Oct 11, 2022, 8:11 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
Dear E*** T***Y,
Thank you for contacting the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
Please be informed that, as per our records, your refund has been processed by the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
The ticket purchaser must be aware and shall allow for bank and payment card company processing times.
We recommend that you contact your bank for more details.
Yours Sincerely,
FIFA Ticketing Centre
Same story, they have two more days until deadline (30 working days from 16th August is 27th September) so let’s see. It’s a strange thing there is no clear contact email or number regarding inquiries about refunds.
Thats true. Like we are helpless not even a customer service email. But we can only wait… hopefully they will really send us the refunds. lets keep in touch.
Hello. i was able to get a link where to inquire for the refund. I already sent an inquiry. You can also send here (lets try and hope it works): Hello, thank you for contacting us! Please if you haven’t yet received your refund, or any enquiries regarding tickets, please contact the relevant support team 👇
https://fifa.powerappsportals.com/hi-IN/qatar2022/case-creation/
Hi, just an update (as of 12midnight Doha Time Oct 11). I checked my email and received this notification – see below. Will keep you posted if an actual refund has been made so please check your emails as well and if you havent sent a report via the link i sent before, please do so. i’l be confirming this to my back tomorrow. LETS ALL KEEP IN TOUCH and hoping that everyone gets our refund soon (we’re eager to book for other match as well).
FWC 2022 Enquiries (FIFA Ticketing)
Oct 11, 2022, 8:11 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
Dear E*** T***Y,
Thank you for contacting the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
Please be informed that, as per our records, your refund has been processed by the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
The ticket purchaser must be aware and shall allow for bank and payment card company processing times.
We recommend that you contact your bank for more details.
Yours Sincerely,
FIFA Ticketing Centre
Hi, Anyone get refund from Fifa yet? I am still waiting for mine
SADLY mine’s not refunded yet. But I already sent them a followup. You may also send yours at https://fifa.powerappsportals.com/hi-IN/qatar2022/case-creation/
I have also sent them a request yesterday but again I got same standard auto reply.
Sent them an email last week and said Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting us.
The matter you have brought to our attention is being investigated, we will contact you within the next five to seven working days.
Yours sincerely,
FIFA Ticketing Centre
Hi, just an update (as of 12midnight Doha Time Oct 11). I checked my email and received this notification – see below. Will keep you posted if an actual refund has been made so please check your emails as well and if you havent sent a report via the link i sent before, please do so. i’l be confirming this to my back tomorrow. LETS ALL KEEP IN TOUCH and hoping that everyone gets our refund soon (we’re eager to book for other match as well).
FWC 2022 Enquiries (FIFA Ticketing)
Oct 11, 2022, 8:11 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
Dear E*** T***Y,
Thank you for contacting the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
Please be informed that, as per our records, your refund has been processed by the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
The ticket purchaser must be aware and shall allow for bank and payment card company processing times.
We recommend that you contact your bank for more details.
Yours Sincerely,
FIFA Ticketing Centre
They just gave standard useless reply.
I received that as well last week. Then i made a followup and received the same reply all over again. Hope were not chasing hopeless case here huhuhu.
No phone number to call, email them and get stupid auto reply, it’s more than 30 working days. It seems our money is scammed by FIFA!!
I just hope they wont do it… I hope QATAR organizers can also extend help. Although when i asked a volunteer-friend he can only give the same (useful/useless) link
Worst part is no contact number for follow up and on email- they are sending standard auto reply. Its been more than 50 days.
yeah, we all have the same sentiments. will try to contact someone next week. hope it works.
FIFA is Corrupted to the Core.
i really hope they are not… it’s a big money for me (refund for 3 tickets) huhuhu
Same story, My 6 tickets for two matches were successfully resold on August 12th but till now I didn’t receive the refund in my account.
I really someone would look into it. have you tried the link I shared here with other commenters? If yes then let’s really hope for the best. I’m also trying to get in touch with other offices to help us since this is already a growing concern.
Hi, just an update (as of 12midnight Doha Time Oct 11). I checked my email and received this notification – see below. Will keep you posted if an actual refund has been made so please check your emails as well and if you havent sent a report via the link i sent before, please do so. i’l be confirming this to my back tomorrow. LETS ALL KEEP IN TOUCH and hoping that everyone gets our refund soon (we’re eager to book for other match as well).
FWC 2022 Enquiries (FIFA Ticketing)
Oct 11, 2022, 8:11 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
Dear E*** T***Y,
Thank you for contacting the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
Please be informed that, as per our records, your refund has been processed by the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
The ticket purchaser must be aware and shall allow for bank and payment card company processing times.
We recommend that you contact your bank for more details.
Yours Sincerely,
FIFA Ticketing Centre
If you live in Qatar, you probably can go to their office and ask. These people are not serious in their work. Not comply to their own T & C. Hard to imagine big organization like FIFA is a scammer!!
These are the contacts I could found but no answer!!!
https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/contact-fifa/contact-form
+0974 41442022 for Qatar residents
+041 565512022 for International fans
yeah got that too but the landline is just a pre-recorded guide to FAQs… will also divert you to their website and thats it.
I also haven’t received any refund yet! which state refund will be completed within 30 working days after closing resale.
i have a lkink where you can at least report your concern. Although as you can see all of us are just receiving standard replies but please do try it too. Im looking at someone to help us with our concerns too. Lets keep posted – should you find any lead, please share it as well. THANKS.
Hi, just an update (as of 12midnight Doha Time Oct 11). I checked my email and received this notification – see below. Will keep you posted if an actual refund has been made so please check your emails as well and if you havent sent a report via the link i sent before, please do so. i’l be confirming this to my back tomorrow. LETS ALL KEEP IN TOUCH and hoping that everyone gets our refund soon (we’re eager to book for other match as well).
FWC 2022 Enquiries (FIFA Ticketing)
Oct 11, 2022, 8:11 PM (4 hours ago)
to me
Dear E*** T***Y,
Thank you for contacting the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
Please be informed that, as per our records, your refund has been processed by the FIFA Ticketing Centre.
The ticket purchaser must be aware and shall allow for bank and payment card company processing times.
We recommend that you contact your bank for more details.
Yours Sincerely,
FIFA Ticketing Centre
Have you got the refund after receiving this mail?
Yes. Already received my refund. How about you? Hope everyone already received theirs if not, please keep sending reminder… im sure theyre already processing it (IF YOU RECEIVED THE RESALE APPROVAL AND REFUND NOTICE)
Do you guys think it will be 30 days after the end of second/Final resale window?
we dont have idea as we are also waiting for our refund… huhuhu hope it will be soon.
the resale platform closes on December 18. So its 30 working days after the final game. you will be waiting a while
my understanding is that the resale platform closes on December 18 and the refunds will be 30 working days after December 18.
I received one of my resold Tickets amount today around 11:20 am. So, keep faith it might soon be credited.
yes! thats a great news. lets just follow the procedure and who knows… it will all be fixed in time (lets be patient).
Guys! I received my refund today! I reside in India and the amount deducted by FIFA was INR 883 (for Cat 1 ticket). So happy and relieved. I’m sure all of you will received your refunds soon enough. Hang in there!
That’s great news. I also called the bank and i was told it was already in the system but will be credited after 7 days.
I received one of my resold Tickets on 12 Oct, waiting for remaining two tickets refund which was resold the same day.
THAT’s GREAT NEWS AS WELL! ALL 3 of my tickets worth 1800QR were refunded today less charge. Thanks FIFA. Hope you will reopen seats for opening… or maybe closing ceremonies?
only 5 days took for you to get refund ? from which country you take ticket