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More than half a billion ticket requests have been submitted for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, underlining unprecedented global demand for the expanded 48-team tournament set to be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
FIFA confirmed that over 500 million ticket applications were lodged during the Random Selection Draw sales phase, which ran from December 11, 2025 to January 13, 2026. Fans from all 211 countries and territories represented by FIFA’s member associations took part, marking a new benchmark for demand in the history of world sport.
Each application was validated using unique credit card data, with supporters submitting an average of 15 million ticket requests per day over the 33-day window. FIFA said the figures highlight the global appeal of the first-ever 48-nation World Cup.
Unsurprisingly, the three host nations, the United States, Mexico and Canada, were among the countries generating the highest number of applications. They were joined by strong interest from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.
The most sought-after match of the sales phase was Colombia’s group-stage fixture against Portugal, scheduled for June 27 in Miami. Other highly demanded games included Mexico v Korea Republic in Guadalajara on June 18, the World Cup final in New York New Jersey on July 19, the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11, and a round-of-32 match in Toronto on July 2.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the response as historic.
“Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand, it’s a global statement,” he said. “On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response.”
Infantino acknowledged that not all fans would be able to attend matches in person, adding that FIFA is committed to offering alternative ways for supporters to engage with the tournament through fan experiences both inside and outside stadiums, as well as online.
FIFA Ticketing will now verify all applications to ensure they meet eligibility criteria and household limits before tickets are allocated. Where demand exceeds supply, tickets will be assigned through a random selection process to guarantee fairness.
Fans will be informed of the outcome of their applications by email no earlier than February 5. Successful and partially successful applicants will be charged automatically, while unsuccessful fans will have another chance to purchase tickets during the Last-Minute Sales phase, which will operate on a first-come, first-served basis closer to and throughout the tournament.
Supporters have been reminded that FIFA.com/tickets is the official source for World Cup tickets. FIFA will also operate an official resale and exchange marketplace to help protect fans from unauthorised ticket sales, subject to local regulations.
Hospitality packages, including premium matchday experiences, are available through FIFA’s official hospitality provider, On Location, while all-inclusive travel packages can also be purchased through Qatar Airways.
FIFA has also cautioned fans that match tickets do not guarantee entry into host countries, urging travellers to check visa requirements for the United States, Mexico and Canada and to apply as early as possible. Ticket holders travelling to the US will be eligible for the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System once it launches in the coming weeks.
As a not-for-profit organisation, FIFA said it will reinvest more than 90 per cent of its budgeted income from the 2023-2026 cycle back into football development worldwide, supporting men’s, women’s and youth programmes across its 211 member associations.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels / Earth Photart, Unsplash / Fauzan Saari
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