FIFA offers fans never-before-seen World Cup perk for $79 but it could go horribly wrong

FIFA are offering a never-before-seen perk for the upcoming World Cup tournament but there are fears that it could backfire horribly.

The showpiece in North America, the first to be co-hosted by three countries and to feature 48 teams, kicks off on Thursday when Mexico take on South Africa in a repeat of the 2010 opener.

The tournament is breaking new ground in many different ways, with three different opening ceremonies and a half-time show for the final featuring Shakira, Madonna and BTS.

But another fresh feature is the addition of the all-new 'Super Shoutout', which will debut at the Azteca Stadium on Thursday.

Online, FIFA are selling shoutouts on the scoreboards during games at the tournament for the price of $79 (£59) - brought down from the previous price of $99.

READ MORE: FIFA confirm major World Cup change which will impact every team

On the fan spotlight website, fans are able to choose any fixture and then reserve a special shoutout slot.

All slots have been bought for Mexico vs South Africa and Korea Republic vs the Czech Republic but others are available for all games - going right up to Congo DR vs Uzbekistan on 27 June in Atlanta in the final group games.

There is a window for which the shoutouts need to be purchased, with four able to be ordered in one go.

Names will flash up on the scoreboard as part of FIFA's experience. Image: Getty

Fans must select their chosen team for the shoutout and then enter their name. However, in this type of scenarios, this kind of practice is crying out for pranksters to cause some chaos on the big stage.

Reacting to the feature on Reddit, one user wrote: "Letting random people post on giant displays seen by millions sound like a fantastic idea, this has never gone totally wrong ever”.

A second agreed, saying: “Cause this ain’t going to be abused in the slightest lol.”

A third added: "This has so much jerk potential, it's unbelievable."

At the checkout, a statement from FIFA does make it clear that they will be monitoring names closely.

The Terms, community standards & privacy state: "Your on-screen name and shoutout must follow our guidelines (no offensive or misleading content). By placing this order you accept how your message may be shown during the broadcast, and you confirm you have read our terms and conditions and privacy notice."

Another special experience FIFA have created is the opportunity for fans to have their name on the carpet the players will walk out for the final on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The 'Walk of Fans' will set fans back $159.90 and includes the carpet cut-off of names being placed in a limited-edition frame as a memorabilia item that is shipped out.