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Record-Breaking Demand for World Cup Tickets
FIFA has announced that more than 500 million ticket requests were submitted during the Random Selection Draw phase for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The registration window remained open for 33 days, producing an average of nearly 15 million requests per day, a figure never seen before in the history of international sport.
FIFA clarified that these numbers reflect requests rather than confirmed purchases, but described them as a powerful indicator of the extraordinary global anticipation surrounding the tournament.
A Truly Global Phenomenon
Ticket requests were received from fans across all 211 FIFA member associations, highlighting the worldwide reach of the competition. According to FIFA, the scale of participation confirms that the expanded 48-team format has strengthened global engagement rather than diluted interest.
The data positions the 2026 edition as a landmark moment for football, with fan demand extending well beyond traditional markets.
Host Nations Lead the Way
Unsurprisingly, the three host countries — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — recorded the highest number of ticket requests. They were followed by major football nations including Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia.
This distribution underlines the balance between strong local interest in North America and sustained enthusiasm from Europe, South America, and beyond.
Colombia vs Portugal Tops Fan Interest
One of the biggest surprises revealed by FIFA was the identity of the most requested match. The group-stage encounter between Colombia and Portugal, scheduled to take place in Miami on 27 June, attracted more requests than both the final in New York / New Jersey and the opening match in Mexico City.
The result reflects the growing appeal of high-profile group matches featuring globally recognized teams and star players.
A World Cup Poised to Redefine the Game
The sheer volume of ticket requests reinforces expectations that the 2026 World Cup will become the most attended and most followed edition in football history. With an expanded format, three host nations, and record-breaking fan engagement, the tournament is shaping up to redefine the global scale of the World Cup experience.
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