FIFA Receives Record 500 Million Ticket Requests for 2026 World Cup
FIFA has announced a staggering 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup within the month-long application period that ended recently. This unprecedented demand underscores the tournament’s massive popularity, particularly following the draw and schedule release in December. Fans had the chance to request tickets for specific matches across various categories and price points.
Ticket Allocation and Demand
The World Cup will feature 104 matches, and FIFA plans to conduct random draws for ticket allocation in February. This process will determine which applicants will receive tickets from the overwhelming number of requests. Prior to this announcement, FIFA had sold around 2 million tickets during presales in October and November.
Remaining Ticket Inventory
- Approximately 4 to 5 million tickets are still available for the tournament.
- The number of ticket requests suggests a potential demand exceeding 1 billion tickets since each request may include 1-4 tickets.
Match-by-match demand varies, with certain games attracting substantial interest. The most requested matches include:
- Colombia vs. Portugal
- Mexico vs. Korea Republic
- The World Cup Final
- Mexico vs. South Africa (opening match)
- Round of 32 match in Toronto on July 2, expected to feature either Portugal or Colombia.
Despite the overwhelming demand, FIFA has not detailed the specific number of requests for each match, leaving fans and analysts eager for more information.
Ticket Pricing Controversy
FIFA has faced criticism regarding its ticket pricing, with fees ranging from $140 to $450 for lower-tier games. This pricing structure has deterred some fans, especially those in North America and internationally, who opted to watch the event on television. Others, however, quickly purchased tickets during the initial presales.
Market Dynamics and Scalping Concerns
In response to high demand, FIFA raised ticket prices. Despite this, the prices remain significantly lower than those found on resale platforms like StubHub or Vivid Seats. Experts believe resale prices could fluctuate, potentially decreasing for less popular matches and increasing for high-demand games after ticket allocations are announced in February.
The surge in requests likely includes some from scalpers looking to profit from the initial ticket sales. FIFA has attempted to address scalping concerns by implementing measures to validate applications, but it remains unclear how effective these efforts have been.
Future Developments
FIFA will start notifying fans about the random draw results on or after February 5. Successful applicants may receive all, some, or none of the requested tickets. The tournament is set to kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, concluding on July 19 in New Jersey, with matches held across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
