Despite fan protests over high prices, FIFA reports 5 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup. New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani vows to appoint a 'World Cup czar' to push for lower costs, as the U.S. ramps up visa support for fans.
Following initial outcry from groups like Football Supporters Europe, which labeled FIFA's pricing a 'monumental betrayal' and demanded a sales halt, ticket demand for the 2026 World Cup remains robust. FIFA received 5 million requests from over 200 countries in the third sales phase, building on nearly 2 million prior sales. The most sought-after group-stage match is Colombia vs. Portugal on June 27 in Miami, boosted by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Host nations led requests, followed by Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama. The tournament, expanded to 48 teams across 16 cities from June 11 to July 19, will host 5 million spectators at venues like MetLife Stadium (final on July 19, eight matches total) and SoFi Stadium (USA vs. Paraguay opener on June 12).
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, a soccer enthusiast, announced plans for a 'World Cup czar' to advocate for affordability. 'The cheapest ticket to the World Cup Final is $4,000—that's five times more than Qatar,' he told CBS News New York. MetLife, near NYC, underscores local stakes.
To support fans, the U.S. White House Task Force is deploying over 400 consular officers to speed visas for ticket holders, addressing logistical hurdles amid the pricing debate.
