FIFA received five million ticket applications in the first 24 hours of the random selection draw for the 2026 World Cup, spanning over 200 countries, even as fan groups continue criticizing soaring prices.
Building on the ticket sales launch criticized by groups like Football Supporters Europe for 'extortionate' prices—up to five times higher than Qatar 2022—FIFA reported unprecedented demand. Applications via FIFA.com poured in from Friday until the phase closes on January 13, 2026, with fans selecting matches by lottery.
Top demand came from host nations US, Mexico, and Canada, followed by Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama. Hot fixtures included Colombia vs Portugal (Miami, June 27), Brazil vs Morocco (New York/New Jersey, June 13), Mexico vs South Korea (Guadalajara, June 18), Ecuador vs Germany (New York/New Jersey, June 25), and Scotland vs Brazil (Miami, June 24).
FSE and others, including Scotland's Tartan Army Clubs, decry limited allocations (e.g., under 4,000 for Scotland's group games) and dynamic pricing pushing fans to resale markets where final tickets already exceed £80,000. Group-stage prices start at £134 but reach £524 for premium. FIFA insists equal lottery chances regardless of timing and will auto-charge winners.
This follows over two million tickets allocated earlier, with five million left. The surge underscores interest in the expanded 48-team tournament across the US, Canada, and Mexico (June 11-July 19), despite tensions over accessibility.
