FIFA said on Wednesday, Jan. 14 that it has received more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer.
Per FIFA, an average of 15 million ticket requests were made each day from when the 33-day World Cup ticket application window opened on Dec. 11 until its closure on Jan. 13. FIFA boasts that the ticket demand sets ‘a new benchmark for demand in the history of world sport.’
‘Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand – it’s a global statement. On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response,’ FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement released by the organization.
Aside from the three host nations, the highest number of World Cup ticket applications came from residents in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.
The ticketing update also included fascinating data for which games are the most requested. These are the top five most-coveted 2026 World Cup matches, according to FIFA:
- Colombia vs. Portugal in Miami, Saturday, June 27
- Mexico vs. South Korea in Guadalajara, Mexico, Thursday, June 18
- Tournament final in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 19
- Mexico vs. South Africa, the tournament opener in Mexico City, Thursday, June 11
- Round of 32 match in Toronto, Thursday, July 2
The full 104-match schedule for the 2026 World Cup — which will feature 48 teams for the first time — was set during the draw on Dec. 5, with 16 cities in three countries hosting matches.
The ticket process for the upcoming World Cup has had its detractors. Soccer fans around the globe have lodged their complaints about the high prices for tickets. Even U.S. national teamer Tim Weah voiced his concern about the high costs to get into games.
‘It is too expensive,’ Weah said. ‘Football should still be enjoyed by everyone. It is the most popular sport. This World Cup will be good, but it will be more of a show.
‘I am just a bit disappointed by the ticket prices. Lots of real fans will miss matches.’
In an effort to make some reasonably priced options available, FIFA provided a selected number of tickets — ‘supporter entry tier’ tickets — to national federations of the participating countries for them to distribute to loyal fans who have previously attended their nations’ matches.