FIFA Receives 1.5 Million World Cup Ticket Applications in 24 Hours, Fans Brace for High Demand

Zurich, September 12, 2025 — In a dramatic start to the ticketing phase for the world’s biggest sporting event, FIFA has announced that it received an extraordinary 1.5 million ticket applications within just 24 hours of opening sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The surge, described by officials as “record-breaking,” underscores football’s global pull and sets the tone for what is expected to be the largest and most attended World Cup in history.

Historic Demand for a Historic Tournament

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark several firsts:

First tournament jointly hosted by three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

First expansion to 48 teams, up from the long-standing 32-team format.

First time 104 matches will be played across the globe’s most modern stadiums.

With these changes, FIFA projects unprecedented attendance figures, potentially topping 5 million spectators over the course of the tournament. Early ticketing trends strongly reinforce this forecast, with the initial demand far surpassing that of the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar World Cups.

How the Ticketing Process Works

FIFA clarified that the current window is an application phase, not first-come-first-served. Fans are required to submit requests for specific matches or categories, after which tickets are allocated via a random draw system.

Notification of success: Starting September 29, 2025, successful applicants will receive email confirmations.

Purchase windows: From October 1, 2025, those selected will be given designated time slots to log in and complete payment.

Future opportunities: Fans who do not succeed in this round will have chances in subsequent phases, as FIFA traditionally releases more tickets closer to the tournament.

FIFA has also reminded fans to only use official channels, citing risks of scams, fraudulent resale, and inflated black-market pricing.

Ticket Prices and Accessibility

While FIFA has not released detailed sales data, industry analysts expect ticket categories to range widely, with affordable options for group-stage matches and premium pricing for knockout rounds and the final.

Early fan reactions on social media reflect excitement but also concern about affordability. With record applications and high demand, resale markets are expected to drive up prices — a recurring challenge for major sporting events.

“Getting a World Cup ticket is like winning a lottery,” commented one fan from Mexico City. “Even if you can afford it, the chances of securing a seat are slim because demand is so overwhelming.”

Host Cities Prepare for a Tourism Boom

The World Cup will be spread across 16 host cities in North America, including:

United States: Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, Dallas, Miami, Seattle, and others.

Canada: Toronto and Vancouver.

Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Each city is bracing for an influx of international visitors, with tourism boards projecting record numbers. Airlines, hotels, and local businesses are already reporting heightened inquiries and pre-bookings. Economists estimate that the event could generate tens of billions of dollars across the three host nations, making it one of the most lucrative sporting events ever staged.

Global Anticipation

Football’s unmatched global appeal means that ticket demand is not limited to host nations. FIFA reported applications pouring in from all continents, with particularly high interest from Europe, South America, and Asia.

For fans, the lure of seeing historic matches live — including potential clashes between traditional rivals such as Brazil vs. Argentina or Germany vs. England — adds to the fever.

“This is the World Cup where history will be made — more teams, more matches, more chances for underdogs to shine,” said former U.S. national team player Landon Donovan. “It’s no surprise that tickets are being snapped up so quickly.”

Challenges Ahead

Despite the excitement, challenges remain:

Infrastructure strain: Cities must handle massive crowds, traffic, and security concerns.

Resale market risks: With such high demand, organizers face the challenge of keeping tickets out of scalpers’ hands.

Equitable access: Ensuring fans from diverse income levels can attend remains a delicate balance between profit and inclusivity.

Looking Forward

With ticket notifications beginning on September 29, anticipation will only grow. Fans who succeed will have until early October to finalize purchases, while others will pin their hopes on future sales phases.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up not just as the biggest in scale but also as a global festival of unprecedented proportions. Judging by the opening-day ticket frenzy, the world is ready — and eager — for football’s grandest show.