A DARWIN couple – who held off having kids so they could attend the 2014 World Cup on their honeymoon – have been left devastated after a Casuarina travel agent flew them to the wrong country.

Orin and Melissa van Lingen had been saving money since their wedding in June last year so they could attend the World Cup in Brazil.

It was not until the couple were on their flight from Los Angeles that they realised the travel agent had accidentally booked them tickets to San Salvador – the capital city of the country El Salvador – ­instead of the Brazilian city Salvador.

media_camera Gang members in El Salvador, which is not where the World Cup is being played. Picture: GILES CLARKE/GETTY

El Salvador is about 5000km away from Salvador, which hosted the Spain and Holland match Mr van Lingen desperately wanted to see.

media_camera Orin and Melissa van Lingen

“We assumed there must be connecting flights but it was not until we got into the airport and there were no other flights,” Mrs van Lingen told the Sunday Territorian from her hotel room in San Salvador.

“We were completely devastated but hopeful we can leave here to get on another flight,” she said.

Attending the World Cup has been Mr van Lingen’s dream since he saw the Euro Cup in 2008.

“The game we watched today was the one we had a ticket for, Spain versus Holland, but unfortunately we had to watch it on TV – in a different country,” Mrs van Lingen said.

“The hardest part was seeing my husband’s face – it was heartbreaking.”

Mrs van Lingen said an Escape Travel worker had promised to reimburse them for money lost from accommodation they had booked in Brazil.

media_camera A soccer fan, jubilant at being in the same country as where the World Cup is to be played in 2014. Picture: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP

Flight Centre Travel Group spokesman Haydn Long said it was a misunderstanding and staff were working with the couple to save their holiday.

“We have provided alternative accommodation and arranged flights to Brazil to ensure their plans are back on track ahead of the next game,” Mr Long said.

“In addition, we will continue to work with the customers to see if we can make amends in other ways for the initial error.

“We have apologised and hope the arrangements we are making now will lead to a positive outcome.”

Mrs van Lingen scoffed at the claims new flights had been arranged because she said the ­booked, albeit bungled, itinerary had already included the San Salvador to Rio de Janeiro leg.