LOS ANGELES: FIFA received five million requests for tickets to the 2026 World Cup within the first 24 hours of the latest sales phase, the world governing body announced Friday. This comes despite recent criticism from fan groups about high ticket prices.
Fans from more than 200 countries and territories applied via FIFA.com for matches at the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Fan Concerns Over Prices
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) called on FIFA to immediately halt national team allocations, accusing the organization of imposing “extortionate” ticket prices that risk excluding ordinary fans. Ticket costs have reportedly increased five-fold compared with the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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Most Popular Matches
Early demand has been strongest for high-profile group-stage matches. The most requested fixture so far is Colombia vs. Portugal in Miami on June 27. Other top matches include:
- Brazil vs. Morocco (New York/New Jersey, June 13)
- Mexico vs. South Korea (Guadalajara, June 18)
- Ecuador vs. Germany (New York/New Jersey, June 25)
- Scotland vs. Brazil (Miami, June 24)
Global Fan Interest
After the three host nations, the countries with the highest number of ticket requests are Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama. FIFA noted the strong South and Central American participation highlights the tournament’s broad appeal across the Americas. Scotland’s ranking reflects excitement for their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.
Random Selection Draw
The Random Selection Draw phase runs until January 13, 2026, at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET). FIFA emphasized that the timing of an application within this window does not affect the chances of success. Fans can select specific matches, ticket categories, and quantities within household limits. Successful applicants will be charged automatically.
