FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Sales Surge Pass One Million
As the excitement builds for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026, current ticket sales figures reveal that over one million tickets have already been sold. This update comes from FIFA, marking the first announcement since the official sales began earlier this month.
Strong Demand Across Borders
Unsurprisingly, the most significant interest has come from fans residing in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—the three host nations for the tournament. Incredibly, tickets have been purchased by fans from 212 different countries and territories, despite only 28 of the 48 participating teams having secured their spots as of now.
Top Ticket-Ordering Nations
According to FIFA, the top nations in terms of ticket sales include prominent football-loving countries such as England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, showcasing matches across 16 venues in North America.
A Promising Start
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm about the overwhelming response from global fans. He noted, “As national teams compete for a place at the historic FIFA World Cup 26, it’s encouraging to see so many football lovers eager to be part of this landmark event in North America.” Infantino emphasized that this World Cup represents a significant step toward inclusivity in sports, as it captures the interest of supporters from around the world.
World Cup Final Ticket Prices and Resale Information
In a recent announcement, FIFA also revealed the opening of its resale site. Tickets for the highly anticipated World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, have been listed at prices ranging from an astonishing $9,538 to $57,500 per seat, as of the latest updates.
While FIFA has not disclosed specific data related to ticket sales for individual matches or a breakdown by venue, fans can expect a unique experience as they purchase their tickets.
Challenges for International Visitors
Ticket sales are just one aspect as fans prepare to attend the matches. With recent statements from President Donald Trump about possibly relocating matches from locations deemed unsafe, there are added complications regarding how fans will acquire the necessary visas to enter the U.S. This has raised questions, particularly as immigration policies tighten and concerns about travel restrictions increase.
Interestingly, an international friendly match featuring defending World Cup champions Argentina and star player Lionel Messi was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale due to sluggish ticket sales, a shift some believe may be linked to these broader immigration issues.
How to Secure Tickets
During the initial sales round, buyers were selected from a pool of 4.5 million applicants through a lottery held last month. Fans will have another chance to purchase tickets starting on October 27. This upcoming draw will include single-match tickets for all 104 games, alongside team- and venue-specific options.
With a total of around 7.1 million seats available across the venues, the competition for tickets is expected to be fierce. Entry prices are set to vary, with the lowest-priced tickets starting at approximately $60 for select matches. However, for high-demand games, such as the opening match for the U.S. in Inglewood, ticket prices ranged from $560 to $2,735 when sales kicked off. Notably, one resale ticket for this inaugural match was listed at an eye-watering $61,642.
Understanding Ticket Categories and Pricing
Fans have the opportunity to choose seats based on four distinct categories. Category 1 features premium seating, while Category 4 represents those located toward the upper tiers of stadiums. The use of dynamic pricing for the first time at this World Cup means that prices may fluctuate considerably as the event approaches.
Additional phases for ticket purchase will follow, including a second ticket draw to run from mid-November to early December. After the team draw on December 5, a random selection draw will open for fans. Furthermore, FIFA has indicated that last-minute ticket availability will follow a first-come, first-served basis closer to the tournament date.
Star Power: Luka Doncic as Ambassador
In an exciting addition to the event, Los Angeles Lakers guard and avid football fan Luka Doncic has been appointed an ambassador for the World Cup matches slated for Southern California. Fluent in four languages, the Slovenian player is well-equipped to showcase Los Angeles to the global soccer community. “I’ve always been a football fan,” Doncic stated, expressing his eagerness to connect with audiences through this beautiful sport that unifies diverse cultures.
