The world's passion for football is on full display as FIFA announces a staggering number of ticket requests for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite facing significant criticism for its pricing strategy, football's global governing body has been inundated with interest from every corner of the planet.
Unprecedented Global Demand for World Cup Access
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday, January 14, that it received more than 500 million requests for tickets to the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This monumental figure was reached during the application window for the ticket lottery, which closed on Tuesday.
Remarkably, applications poured in from fans residing in all 211 FIFA member nations and territories, showcasing the truly global appeal of the beautiful game. The football body stated that applicants will be notified of the outcome of their lottery entry no earlier than February 5.
Top Matches and Fan Nations Revealed
Analysis of the requests reveals fascinating insights into fan priorities. The match generating the most buzz is the group stage clash between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27. Following closely in popularity are Mexico versus South Korea in Guadalajara on June 18 and the pinnacle event, the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19.
While the host nations naturally showed massive interest, the highest demand from outside North America came from football powerhouses and passionate fan bases. The leading countries were:
- Germany
- England
- Brazil
- Spain
- Portugal
- Argentina
- Colombia
FIFA's Response and Ongoing Price Controversy
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the response as a historic moment. "Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand — it's a global statement," he said. "I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response." He added, "Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the world, our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums."
This overwhelming demand comes despite a fierce backlash from supporters' groups over ticket prices for the expanded 48-team tournament. Critics have labeled the costs as "extortionate" and "astronomical." Football Supporters Europe highlighted that prices are nearly five times higher than those for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In a direct response to the criticism, FIFA introduced a new category of more affordable tickets in December, priced at 60 US dollars (approximately 51 euros) each. This move was an attempt to address concerns and ensure broader access to the world's most-watched sporting event. The record-breaking demand indicates that while price is a major point of contention, the desire to witness the World Cup firsthand remains undiminished for millions of fans worldwide.
