FIFA announced that it received more than half a billion ticket requests during the latest sales phase for the 2026 World Cup, highlighting enormous worldwide demand despite criticism over high prices.
Germany topped the list of applications outside the three host nations United States, Mexico, and Canada—FIFA said late Wednesday.
The recent sales window, open from Dec. 11 to Jan. 14, allowed fans for the first time to apply for individual tickets linked to specific group-stage matches and teams. Applicants will be notified as early as Feb. 5 whether they were successful in the random draw.
Fans who do not secure tickets in this round will have a second opportunity to purchase them during a follow-up sales period that will remain open through the end of the tournament.
“Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand; it’s a global statement,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In response to widespread criticism over ticket prices, FIFA introduced a new lower-priced category called the “Supporter Entry Tier.” This option is available for all 48 teams and every match across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, scheduled from June 11 to July 19.
However, tickets in this tier remain limited. FIFA reserves 8% of each match’s tickets for supporters through their national associations, with only 10% of that allocation available at the new lower price.
