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2026 World Cup Tickets Sold Out Amid Huge Demand

2/19/2026

31 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are sold out.
He reported 508 million ticket requests from over 200 countries.
Infantino said some tickets will be held for last-minute sales starting in April.
He cited dynamic pricing in the United States and acknowledged fan-group criticism.
Infantino projected over $11 billion in revenue and 20–30 million additional tourists, impacting the U.S. economy.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States from June 17 to July 17, marked a turning point for soccer in America, generating $1.2 billion in revenue and attracting 3.6 million fans. This success laid the foundation for Major League Soccer's establishment in 1993 and set the stage for the anticipated 2026 World Cup, reflecting soccer's growing cultural and economic significance in the U.S.

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Story summary

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are sold out.
He reported 508 million ticket requests from over 200 countries.
Infantino said some tickets will be held for last-minute sales starting in April.
He cited dynamic pricing in the United States and acknowledged fan-group criticism.
Infantino projected over $11 billion in revenue and 20–30 million additional tourists, impacting the U.S. economy.

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