World Cup 2026 Ticket Sales Exceed 5 Million

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has drawn more than five million ticket requests, according to FIFA. The tournament runs from June 11 to July across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

FIFA announced last week that competing teams will share $871 million in prize money. Each of the 48 teams receives at least $12.5 million, up from prior tournaments. Category 3 tickets start at a base price of $1,120.

A FIFA-WTO study projects the event will generate over $80 billion in global output and add nearly $41 billion to global GDP. Organizers estimate 6.5 million fans will attend the 104 matches. Preparation payments to teams rise to $2.5 million from $1.5 million, and qualification payments increase to $10 million from $9 million.

Dozens of members of Congress sent a March letter accusing FIFA of price gouging and urging lower prices. Football Supporters Europe filed a complaint with the European Commission alleging exploitation of monopoly ticketing rights. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that U.S. market rates must apply and blamed secondary resellers for high prices.

He noted that even college games in the United States rarely cost less than $300. A Bank of America survey found roughly 40 percent of global fans expect France to win the tournament. Microsoft's Copilot AI tool instead projects Spain as the most likely champion.

“Ticket pricing is always a sensitive topic for mega-events of this scale. The first-time participants Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan join the field.”