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Over 500 Million Ticket Requests for 2026 World Cup

1/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

FIFA reported over 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, signaling oversubscription ahead of a June 11, 2026, start in Mexico City.
The ticket application window closed recently.
Random draws for 104 matches will occur in February 2026.
FIFA has about 4 to 5 million tickets left after selling 2 million prior to the schedule release.
Ticket prices have drawn criticism for being high.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States from June 17 to July 17, marked a pivotal moment for soccer in North America, attracting over 3.5 million attendees. This success led to the unprecedented demand for tickets for the 2026 World Cup, with over 500 million requests. However, high ticket prices raise ongoing concerns about accessibility in major sporting events.

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Story summary

FIFA reported over 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup, signaling oversubscription ahead of a June 11, 2026, start in Mexico City.
The ticket application window closed recently.
Random draws for 104 matches will occur in February 2026.
FIFA has about 4 to 5 million tickets left after selling 2 million prior to the schedule release.
Ticket prices have drawn criticism for being high.

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