FIFA President Gianni Infantino is confident they are set to create history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite concerns about ticket prices, he revealed they have received a stunning number of requests as the buildup to the summer tournament continues.
FIFA President Says World Cup Tickets Drew 150 Million Requests
Soccer fans around the world must submit ticket requests, and this has been the procedure for some time. Infantino has now revealed that the process has been oversubscribed 30 times.
Tickets went on general sale Dec. 11, and interest continues to pour in. The current Random Selection Draw ticketing phase has attracted fans from more than 200 countries, and the president is delighted with the interest. He said (via GOAL):
“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 — a true showcase of incredible demand from fans from over 200 countries.
“This overwhelming response from passionate fans is a true representation of how our game is loved globally — we are going to make history in North America when we bring the world together like never before in a celebration of unity and the best of football.”
The number of ticket requests comes despite complaints from fans, including New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, about the prices. He called for a price reduction and also urged that 15% of tickets be set aside for residents of the host cities.
Mamdani claimed the current model was keeping the working class out of the stadium, while adding that fans coming in from countries around the United States would be priced out.
However, a FIFA spokesperson confirmed they would not be changing the model, instead justifying the prices, which go up to $6,730 for the final, and said (via ESPN):
“The pricing model adopted generally reflects the existing and developing market practice in our co-hosts for major entertainment and sporting events on a daily basis, soccer included. We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans, and are offering group stage tickets starting at $60, a very competitive price point for a major global sporting event in the U.S.”
The 2026 edition will be hosted in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a total of 104 matches in the expanded World Cup, which features 48 teams.
