Historic Global Rush for Tickets Amid Heated Controversy Over “Extortionate” Prices
More than 500 million ticket requests from fans in every country on earth have flooded FIFA for the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating the tournament’s unprecedented global draw. Yet, the historic demand is clashing with a fierce backlash over ticket prices that supporters’ groups condemn as “astronomical.”
Football’s global governing body announced Wednesday that the application window for the first-ever tri-nation World Cup—hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico—has closed with staggering interest from all 211 FIFA member nations and territories.
“Half a billion ticket requests in just over a month is more than demand – it’s a global statement,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. While celebrating the response, he acknowledged the inevitable disappointment for many, stating, “Our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums.”
Applicants will discover if they secured tickets via lottery no earlier than February 5. The most sought-after match is Colombia versus Portugal in Miami, followed by Mexico vs. South Korea and the final in New Jersey. After the host nations, the heaviest demand came from traditional football powerhouses like Germany, England, Brazil, and Argentina.
However, the celebratory milestone is shadowed by a pricing controversy. Groups like Football Supporters Europe (FSE) have criticized FIFA, noting that ticket prices are nearly five times higher than for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The widespread criticism prompted FIFA to introduce a new, lower-priced ticket category at $60 in December, but many argue the move is an insufficient remedy.
The colossal figure of 500 million requests underscores the World Cup’s unique place in global culture while spotlighting the growing tension between the tournament’s commercial scale and the affordability for the everyday fan. Millions now face an anxious wait to see if they can afford to witness the beautiful game’s biggest stage.
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