10,000 empty seats as England clash with Sweden for place in World Cup semi-finals

England’s World Cup quarter-final against Sweden could be played in front of as many as 10,000 empty seats in Samara.

Tickets have been available for the match on the Fifa website over recent days, but with this quarter-final only decided on Tuesday night, many fans simply haven’t had the time necessary to organise a trip to Russia

Samara, in the south west of the country, is a two hour flight away from capital city Moscow. If England do beat Sweden and reach the last four, their next match will be in Moscow on Wednesday night, which will be far more accessible.

READ MORE: England v Sweden LIVE: Three Lions look to secure semi-final berth

READ MORE: Harry Kane could earn £100m if England win World Cup but will never eclipse Beckham

READ MORE: Sweden team woken by fire alarm hours before England clash

This has generally been a well attended tournament, but the sight of so many empty seats at such a high profile game will be an embarrassment for Fifa.

Russian authorities have spent recent days trying to entice Britons to travel to the country, even if they don’t have tickets for the game, by offering to issue visas within one working day and helping to find accommodation.

England’s match against Sweden is their biggest since their last World Cup quarter-final twelve years ago, against Portugal at Germany 2006.

An enormous television audience in Britain is expected to tune in for the Saturday afternoon match. More than 24 million watched their dramatic penalties win over Colombia to reach the last eight.