A Record-Breaking Surge: 500 Million Requests for 2026 World Cup Tickets

FIFA received over 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, marking a new milestone in sporting history. Fans from all 211 FIFA member countries applied, with a significant demand for a group match between Colombia and Portugal. A random selection process will allocate tickets where demand exceeds supply.

In an unprecedented surge of interest, FIFA has announced it received more than 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup during a 33-day application window, setting a milestone in world sports history. The upcoming tournament, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time.

According to FIFA's statement, fans from all 211 FIFA member countries and territories submitted an average of 15 million ticket requests daily. The most applications beyond the three host countries were from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. A matchup between Colombia and Portugal on June 27 in Miami emerged as the most sought-after event.

Fans will be notified of application results by February 5, with tickets for oversubscribed matches allotted via a random selection process. An official resale and exchange marketplace will handle eligible ticket transactions, subject to federal and local regulations. The tournament kicks off on June 11 in Mexico City, culminating on July 19 in New Jersey.

(With inputs from agencies.)