Ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, have seen unprecedented demand, with FIFA announcing it received half a billion ticket applications by the time registration closed for the random draw. This astronomical figure reflects the growing global enthusiasm for the upcoming tournament, which promises to be the biggest in the history of the game.
Distribution of requests and the countries with the highest interest
FIFA explained in an official statement issued on Thursday that this huge number of applications was registered in a short period of no more than 33 days, and included fans from all 211 member national associations. As expected, the three host countries (United States, Mexico, Canada) topped the list of applications, followed by traditional and global football powers including Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia, which confirms the global nature of the event.
An exceptional edition and a historic expansion
This record-breaking turnout is further amplified by the tournament's historical context. The 2026 edition will be the first World Cup to feature 48 national teams instead of 32, marking the largest expansion in the competition's history since 1998. This radical change means an increase in the number of matches to 104, offering fans from all continents greater opportunities to watch their national teams compete on the world stage. Moreover, hosting the tournament across three countries with vast territories and advanced infrastructure opens up new avenues for sports tourism in North America.
Most requested matches and results schedule
In an interesting detail, FIFA revealed that the most requested match was not just the final, but also the anticipated group stage match between Colombia and Portugal on June 27 in Miami, followed by the Mexico-South Korea match, the final in New York-New Jersey, and the opening match in Mexico City. Fans are scheduled to be notified of the draw results via email no later than February 5.
Price controversy and FIFA measures
Despite this turnout, the process was not without criticism, as FIFA faced an attack from fan groups over its pricing policy, which was described as "astronomical." European reports indicated that prices had increased fivefold compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In response to this pressure, the federation introduced a discounted ticket category at a price of $60 (€51) in an attempt to contain the fans' anger and ensure inclusive attendance.
Important notices for fans
FIFA concluded its statement by reminding fans that obtaining a ticket does not automatically guarantee entry to the host country, emphasizing the need to review the visa requirements for the United States, Canada, and Mexico separately. The federation also reassured fans who were not selected in the draw that there is one last chance through a "last-minute sales" phase, which will operate on a first-come, first-served basis as the tournament approaches.
