FIFA World Cup 2026 Sets Record Before Kickoff with Over 500 Million Ticket Requests

Even before the kickoff of the FIFA World Cup 2026, a historic record has been set as FIFA has received more than 500 million ticket requests for the mega event, highlighting unprecedented global interest.

The excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup 2026 has already reached extraordinary levels, with football fans across the world showing remarkable enthusiasm well ahead of the tournament. Within just 33 days, over half a billion ticket applications were submitted, marking a new record in FIFA’s history.

According to FIFA, the random selection draw phase for World Cup 2026 tickets took place from December 11 to January 13, during which fans from around the globe applied for tickets. This edition of the World Cup will be historic, as it will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams, with fans from all 211 FIFA member countries submitting ticket requests.

FIFA revealed that during this period, an average of 15 million ticket applications per day were received, all verified through unique credit card details to ensure transparency and fairness.

Besides host nations United States, Mexico, and Canada, the highest number of ticket requests came from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.

The most in-demand match so far is the Colombia vs Portugal encounter scheduled for June 27 in Miami. Other high-demand fixtures include Mexico vs South Korea on June 18 in Guadalajara, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11 in Mexico City, the Round of 32 match on July 2 in Toronto, and the final on July 19 in New York/New Jersey.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that receiving over half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is not merely about demand but a powerful reflection of football’s global appeal. He thanked fans worldwide and reaffirmed FIFA’s commitment to giving as many supporters as possible the opportunity to be part of this historic tournament.

FIFA’s ticketing service will now thoroughly review all applications to ensure compliance with regulations and household limits. In matches where demand exceeds supply, tickets will be allocated through a lottery system to ensure fair distribution.

Fans will be informed of their application results via email before February 5, and payments for successful or partially successful applications will be processed automatically. Those who fail to secure tickets in this phase will have another chance during the final sales stage on a first-come, first-served basis, which will continue until the end of the tournament.

FIFA has also clarified that possession of a match ticket does not guarantee entry into the host countries, urging fans to apply for visas well in advance.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 will kick off on June 11 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, while the final will be played on July 19. The winning team will receive a prize money of $50 million, an increase from the $42 million awarded to the champions of the previous edition, while the runners-up will earn $33 million.