The 2026 FIFA World Cup has generated unprecedented global interest, shattering all previous ticketing records with an astonishing 150 million ticket requests from fans across more than 200 countries within just 15 days of the random selection draw phase opening. FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed these remarkable figures during his address at the World Sports Summit in Dubai on Monday, highlighting the extraordinary demand that far exceeds anything in the tournament’s century-long history.
The staggering numbers translate to approximately 10 million daily ticket requests, demonstrating the massive global appeal of the upcoming tournament. Infantino contextualized this overwhelming response by noting that throughout the nearly 100-year history of the World Cup, FIFA has sold a total of 44 million tickets—meaning the current demand could theoretically fill three centuries worth of tournaments.
The 48-team competition, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. According to FIFA’s data, American fans have submitted the highest number of ticket requests, followed by supporters from Germany and the United Kingdom.
The current ticket request phase remains open until January 13, after which a random selection draw will be conducted to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants. Unsuccessful candidates will have additional opportunities to secure seats during subsequent sales phases as more tickets become available. Infantino characterized this overwhelming global response as a testament to football’s unifying power and promised a historic celebration of unity and sporting excellence in North America.