FIFA has reported receiving more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup during a 33-day application window that closed this week, marking a historic milestone in global sports.
The tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and featuring 48 teams for the first time, attracted applications from fans in all 211 FIFA member countries and territories.
Each application was validated using unique credit card data, with fans submitting an average of 15 million ticket requests per day. Outside the host nations, the highest number of applications came from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. Among all matches, the group stage encounter between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27 emerged as the most sought-after.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the overwhelming demand as “more than demand, it’s a global statement,” highlighting the unprecedented global interest in the tournament.
Fans will be notified of their application results via email no earlier than February 5. Where ticket demand exceeds supply, allocations will be made through a random selection process to ensure fairness.
Unsuccessful applicants will have another opportunity to purchase tickets closer to the tournament during a last-minute sales phase, which will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. FIFA also manages an official resale and exchange marketplace for eligible ticket holders, designed to protect fans and comply with federal and local regulations.
The 2026 World Cup is set to kick off on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City. The tournament will run across multiple venues in the three host nations and conclude with the final on July 19 in New Jersey.
With a record-breaking volume of ticket requests, FIFA has emphasised the global excitement surrounding the expanded 48-team tournament and reaffirmed its commitment to making tickets accessible while maintaining fairness for football fans worldwide.
