FIFA World Cup fever has reached new heights, with more than 150 million ticket requests submitted from over 200 countries for the 2026 edition.
The demand has surged in the early stages, with the current ticketing phase for the FIFA World Cup 2026 heavily oversubscribed, underlining the tournament’s massive global appeal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the response as extraordinary, calling it a reflection of football’s universal popularity.
“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,” Infantino said in a press release, as quoted by Goal.com.
He added that the overwhelming response highlights the deep connection fans around the world share with the game.
“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,” he added.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will kick off on June 11, 2026, and will be hosted across 16 cities in three countries – the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The final is scheduled to be played on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in the New York–New Jersey area.
The group-stage matchups were confirmed following a glittering Final Draw ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
The 2026 edition will also introduce a new format, featuring 48 teams for the first time, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 32.