Global frenzy builds for the expanded tournament across the U.S., Mexico and Canada as prices soar and fans await February allocation results

FIFA says global excitement for the 2026 World Cup has reached unprecedented levels, with more than 500 million ticket requests submitted for this year’s tournament.

The football body revealed on Wednesday that interest has surged far beyond the three host nations — the United States, Mexico and Canada — with the highest number of international requests coming from Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.

The overwhelming demand comes amid controversy over pricing, with top-tier tickets reportedly reaching as high as $8,680, sparking backlash from fans worldwide. In response to criticism, FIFA last month announced it would make $60 tickets available for every match through the tournament’s 48 national football federations. Each federation will determine how those tickets are distributed to loyal supporters who attended previous games.

According to FIFA, the most sought-after match during the third sales phase (December 11 to Tuesday) was Colombia vs. Portugal, scheduled for June 27 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Other high-demand fixtures include Mexico vs. South Korea in Guadalajara, the World Cup final on July 19 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, and a second-round clash in Toronto on July 2.

Seattle is also preparing for the global spotlight. During the official draw in December, Seattle World Cup Organizing Committee President Peter Tomozawa expressed excitement over the city’s role, promising cultural celebrations in January to honor the national teams set to play at Lumen Field.

FIFA confirmed that applicants will begin receiving notifications about their ticket status no earlier than February 5, adding that tickets for oversubscribed matches will be allocated through a random selection process.

With anticipation building and demand far outstripping supply, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the most competitive — both on and off the pitch — in football history.

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