They bought their World Cup tickets months ago. Now they’re finding out their seats aren’t what they expected.

HOUSTON — With the FIFA World Cup just weeks away, thousands of fans who already bought tickets are only now learning where they will actually be sitting, and many say they are not happy about it.

Fans across all three host countries are raising concerns that FIFA changed stadium seating maps after tickets were already sold, leaving some buyers assigned to seats in lower categories than what they believed they purchased.

Danny Navarro runs a social media page called Travel Futbol Fan, helping supporters navigate matches across the three host countries. But he says his content has recently shifted focus toward growing fan frustration over ticket issues.

“Feels we are being scammed,” Navarro said.

Navarro says the problem goes beyond just one city or stadium.

“The maps are changing. And just changing them out of the whim and buy because they say so,” he said.

Some fans say they purchased category 1 tickets, only to be assigned seats that now fall under a category 2 designation. And while FIFA has issued some refunds, fans say they are not being made whole.

“At this time many of these individuals tell me they have been refunded by FIFA. They have not refunded the value difference of these tickets,” Navarro said.

The New York Times has also reported on changes made to stadium maps, with better seats reclassified into higher-priced premium tiers. Navarro says this is happening across the board.

“Everywhere, all the host cities,” he said.

KHOU 11 reached out to FIFA for comment. A spokesperson responded, saying:

“FIFA published indicative category maps to help fans understand where their seats could be located within a stadium. These maps were designed to provide guidance rather than the exact seat layout.”

Despite the frustration, Navarro says most fans are still planning to make the trip, including himself.

“This is the great irony and hypocrisy. I have the tickets. At this point I might as well go,” he said.

FIFA made additional tickets available today. Houston is set to host its first World Cup match in 53 days.