World Cup 2026 Fever Soars as Ticket Sales Smash 1 Million Mark
The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has already ignited global excitement — months before the first ball is even kicked. FIFA announced on Thursday that over 1 million tickets have already been sold for the upcoming tournament, underscoring an extraordinary wave of anticipation for what will be the largest World Cup in football history.
Fans in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the trio of host nations — are leading the charge for seats as they prepare to stage the first-ever 48-team World Cup. Yet the enthusiasm extends far beyond North America, with supporters from 212 countries and territories securing tickets, despite only 28 national teams having officially qualified so far.
According to FIFA, the top-selling nations outside the hosts include England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France, proving the global magnetism of the world’s biggest sporting spectacle.
Set to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the tournament promises a summer of football unlike any before — larger, louder, and more inclusive.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the overwhelming demand, saying:
“As national teams across the globe compete for a place at the historic FIFA World Cup 26, I am thrilled that so many football-loving fans also want to be part of this watershed event in North America. It’s an incredible response – a wonderful sign that the biggest, most inclusive World Cup in history is capturing the imagination of supporters everywhere.”
Meanwhile, the excitement has spilled into the resale market. On FIFA’s official resale platform, tickets for the final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium are already listed between $9,538 and $57,500 per seat.
While FIFA has yet to reveal the full ticket pricing breakdown — something traditionally released for every tournament since 1990 — officials confirmed that the initial ticket batch was distributed through a lottery system, following a staggering 4.5 million applications submitted last month.
For fans who missed out, hope isn’t lost. The next ticket draw opens on October 27, with single-match, team-specific, and venue packages all available for purchase.
With anticipation reaching fever pitch, the world’s biggest football festival is already shaping up to be a record-breaking celebration — both on and off the pitch.
