FIFA Announces New World Cup Ticket Release as Sales Exceed 5 Million
FIFA has announced that a new batch of tickets for all 104 matches of the upcoming World Cup will go on sale this Wednesday, just 50 days before the tournament kicks off. This latest release comes as the sport's governing body revealed that more than five million tickets have already been sold for the 2026 edition.
Ticket Availability and Sales Process
Tickets to games across Canada, the United States, and Mexico will be available via FIFA's official website starting at 1500 GMT on Wednesday. The tickets will be sold "on a first-come, first-served basis" according to FIFA's statement. Along with this initial release, additional tickets will continue to be made available to the public on an ongoing basis up until the final match on Sunday, July 19, subject to availability.
Record-Breaking Sales Figures
The current sales figures represent a significant milestone, surpassing the previous record of 3.5 million tickets sold when the World Cup was last held in the United States in 1994. Based on the capacity of the 16 stadiums hosting this tournament, approximately seven million tickets are expected to be available in total for the 2026 edition.
Pricing Controversy and Demand
FIFA has faced criticism for the high prices of World Cup tickets, with the most expensive ticket for the final surpassing US$10,000, excluding the resale market. Organizers have defended their pricing strategy, which FIFA President Gianni Infantino attributed to "crazy" demand. The organization has implemented a "dynamic pricing" strategy where prices are automatically raised for high-demand matches.
Sales Performance and Disputes
Despite concerns about pricing, FIFA maintains that ticket sales remain strong across all matches. This statement comes in response to reports suggesting that ticket sales were lagging for certain high-profile matches, including the U.S. team's World Cup opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles. A FIFA spokesperson told AFP that "ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup remain strong with a high degree of interest for all matches."
The upcoming ticket release represents another opportunity for soccer fans to secure seats for what promises to be one of the most highly anticipated sporting events in recent history, with demand already demonstrating unprecedented levels of interest in the tournament.
