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‘We are going to make history ‘ – FIFA World Cup 2026 shatters ticket demand records with 150 million requests at tournament midpoint
The FIFA World Cup 2026 has sparked unprecedented global interest, with around 150 million ticket requests submitted within the first half of the current Random Selection Draw ticketing phase.
According to figures released by FIFA, fans from more than 200 countries have already applied for tickets since the phase opened on December 11, making the tournament oversubscribed by a factor of roughly 30.
The demand, based on verified individual credit card entries, far exceeds the available ticket inventory at this early stage and has surpassed interest recorded at any previous World Cup.
The 2026 edition, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is shaping up to be the most ambitious in the competition’s history. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the overwhelming response as a powerful reflection of football’s universal appeal.
“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be the greatest and most inclusive show on the planet, with more than 150 million tickets already requested in only the first 15 days, making this edition 30 times oversubscribed,” Infantino said.
“This incredible demand from fans in over 200 countries truly shows how loved our game is globally. We are going to make history in North America as we bring the world together like never before.”
The scale of interest already places the 2026 tournament in rare territory, with ticket demand exceeding several times the cumulative attendance of all World Cup matches played since the competition began in 1930.
Set to feature an expanded 48-team format, the tournament will include 104 matches across 16 host cities in the three host nations, marking a significant evolution in the World Cup’s structure and global footprint.
The current Random Selection Draw ticketing phase will remain open until January 13, and FIFA has stressed that all valid applications carry equal weight regardless of when they are submitted.
Fans who miss out in this round will still have further opportunities, as additional ticket sales phases are expected ahead of the tournament’s opening match on June 11, 2026.
With demand already reaching historic levels, the countdown to World Cup 2026 is well underway, reinforcing its status as one of the most highly anticipated sporting events of all time.
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