FIFA World Cup 2026: Over 500 million ticket requests submitted

The tournament, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada and feature 48 teams for the first time, attracted applications from fans in all 211 FIFA member countries and territories, the football governing body said in a statement.

Demand for tickets is notable even in context. FIFA had previously sold around two million tickets during presales held before the full schedule was announced and is expected to have approximately four to five million tickets remaining across the tournament.

“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,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the world, our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums. That is why we are committed to creating multiple ways for fans to be part of the FIFA World Cup 2026 - through a wide range of fan experiences beyond the stadiums, both in person and online – so that as many people as possible can share in what will be the biggest sporting event ever staged.”

The highest number of applications apparently came from the co-host - the United States, Mexico and Canada. Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia were recorded as nations that have the most number of applications apart from 3 North America countries.

The most in-demand match in this sales phase was Colombia v. Portugal on June 27 in Miami. It was followed by Mexico v. Korea Republic in Guadalajara on Thursday, June 18. The top five was completed by the final in the New York - New Jersey area on July 19, the tournament’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11, and the round-of-32 match in Toronto on Thursday, July 2 - demonstrating the exceptional appeal of the world’s biggest football tournament across all three host nations.

People who have applied for tickets will be notified no earlier than Feb. 5, and FIFA will assign them randomly for matches in which demand exceeds availability. Unsuccessful applicants will have another opportunity to purchase tickets closer to the tournament during a last-minute sales phase on a first-come, first-served basis.

FIFA World Cup 2026 starts on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City. The final is on July 19 in New Jersey.