There Have Been 500 Million Ticket Requests for the FIFA 2026 World Cup
Over half a billion ticket requests have taken place within 33 days, with the top 10 countries being: the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, the UK, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.
Fans are set to be notified of their ticket applications by email no earlier than February 5th. There is great excitement as the 2026 FIFA World Cup edges closer. With over half a billion ticket requests submitted during the random selection draw, which ran from 11th December to January 13th. Each application is validated by unique credit card data. Fans have placed an average of 15 million ticket requests each day over the 33-day period, which is a new record in sports.
“Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the globe is amazing. Our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadium,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The top five coveted matches in the sales phase were Colombia vs Portugal in Miami, Mexico vs Korea Republic in Guadalajara, the Final in New York, New Jersey, Mexico vs South Africa in Mexico City, and the Round of 32 in Toronto.
All the fans who were not successful in this phase will get another opportunity to purchase tickets closer to the tournament when the last-minute sales phase opens. These tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. FIFA is the official and preferred source for buying tickets. There are also hospitality packages which offer an elevated matchday experience. It is important to note that a match ticket does not guarantee entry into the host country. Fans must visit the host country’s government site for entrance requirements.
As a non-profit organisation, FIFA reinvests the revenue it makes from the tournament into the growth of men’s and women’s football throughout the 211 FIFA members. This boosts the development of football across the world, allowing football to continue to grow into an even bigger spectacle than it already is, attracting new audiences, including younger fans who are increasingly engaging with the sport through legal betting sites for 18 year olds in regulated markets.
