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Global demand for the 2024 World Cup has reached unprecedented levels, with FIFA announcing Wednesday that it has received more than 500 million ticket requests for the tournament to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The international appetite for tickets extends well beyond North America, with FIFA revealing that after the three host nations, the highest volume of requests came from fans in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. This widespread interest underscores the tournament’s global appeal despite its expansion to 48 teams for the first time in World Cup history.
Among the most sought-after matches is the Colombia vs. Portugal group stage clash scheduled for June 27 in Miami Gardens, Florida, which topped the list during the third sales phase that concluded Tuesday. The match features two teams with passionate fan bases and star power, including Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who could be playing in his final World Cup.
The Mexico vs. South Korea match in Guadalajara on June 18 ranks as the second most requested fixture, highlighting Mexico’s massive football following. The tournament final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19 secured the third position, followed by the opening match between tournament hosts Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.
A second-round knockout match scheduled for July 2 in Toronto rounds out the top five most requested games, demonstrating strong interest in the Canadian leg of the tournament.
The pricing structure for this World Cup has generated significant controversy, with FIFA charging premium rates that reach up to $8,680 for top-tier tickets—a figure that has drawn criticism from fan groups and football associations. In response to mounting pressure, FIFA announced last month that it would allocate $60 tickets for every match to each of the 48 participating national federations.
These more affordable tickets will be distributed at the discretion of each federation to supporters who have attended their team’s previous matches, providing some relief for dedicated fans facing steep ticket prices and extensive travel requirements in a tournament spanning three countries.
FIFA plans to notify applicants about the status of their ticket requests no earlier than February 5. For matches where demand exceeds capacity—which appears to be most fixtures given the volume of applications—tickets will be allocated through a random selection process rather than a first-come, first-served basis.
The extraordinary ticket demand reflects the continued growth of soccer in North America, particularly in the United States, where the sport has gained significant traction since the country last hosted the World Cup in 1994. For Canada, this will mark its first time hosting World Cup matches, while Mexico becomes the first nation to host the tournament three times, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
The 2024 World Cup will feature an expanded format with 48 teams (up from 32) competing across 16 cities in the three host nations. The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, with 104 matches scheduled—a significant increase from the 64 matches in previous World Cups.
As preparations continue, organizers face the massive logistical challenge of accommodating the millions of fans expected to travel throughout North America during the tournament, testing the transportation and accommodation infrastructure across all three countries.
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12 Comments
With the expanded 48-team format, the 2026 World Cup is poised to be a truly global event. The sheer volume of ticket requests highlights the massive worldwide interest in the tournament. I’m curious to see how FIFA manages the logistics of such high demand.
Wow, over 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup! That’s incredible demand. With the expansion to 48 teams, it’s going to be a huge global event. Curious to see how FIFA manages the ticket distribution and stadium capacities.
500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup – that’s an astounding number! The global appetite for the tournament is clearly immense. I’m curious to see how FIFA will handle the logistics of allocating tickets and ensuring a fair and accessible ticketing process for fans around the world.
500 million ticket requests is an astonishing number. The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a truly historic event, with more teams and venues than ever before. I wonder how the ticket allocation process will unfold to ensure fair access for fans.
The high volume of ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, especially for matches featuring teams with passionate fan bases like Colombia and Portugal, underscores the enduring global appeal of the tournament. It will be interesting to see how FIFA manages the ticketing process to ensure fair access for fans worldwide.
The high demand for tickets, especially for key matchups like Colombia vs Portugal, underscores the enduring popularity of the World Cup. Football fans globally are excited to see their national teams compete on the world’s biggest stage.
Yes, the global appeal of the World Cup is unparalleled. It’s amazing to see the level of enthusiasm from fans across the world to be part of this tournament.
Wow, over 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup! That’s an incredible level of global interest and enthusiasm for the tournament. The expanded 48-team format is certainly fueling this demand. It will be fascinating to see how FIFA manages the ticketing process to accommodate such high levels of interest from fans worldwide.
The popularity of the Colombia vs Portugal and Mexico vs South Korea matches highlights the massive international appeal of the World Cup. Fans around the world are eager to see their national teams compete on the biggest stage.
Absolutely, the global fan engagement is remarkable. The World Cup brings together people from all corners of the world to celebrate the beautiful game.
Over 500 million ticket requests – that’s an incredible level of interest and enthusiasm for the 2026 World Cup! The global appeal of the tournament is undeniable, and it will be fascinating to see how the ticketing and logistics unfold to accommodate such high demand.
Absolutely, the global reach of the World Cup is truly remarkable. It’s wonderful to see football fans from all corners of the world coming together to support their national teams on the biggest stage.