World Cup 2026 ticket pre-sales see 1.5m+ applications on first day

 

FIFA is reporting more than 1.5 million applications filed from 210 countries on the first day of the World Cup 2026 Visa Presale Draw.

The strongest demand so far has come from the host nations – the United States, Mexico and Canada – while Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, England, Spain, Portugal and Germany are also among the biggest markets where fans are chasing seats.

Tournament chief operating officer Heimo Schirgi hailed the figures as proof of the anticipation surrounding the expanded event, calling it “a watershed in football history.” FIFA is forecasting ticket revenues of more than $3 billion by the time the competition kicks off.

“The large number of entries submitted is a testament to the huge amount of excitement sparked across the globe by the FIFA World Cup 26 and the extent to which it’s set to become a watershed in football history,” he said.

Applications remain open until September 19, with tickets allocated via random draw. FIFA has stressed that applying early offers no advantage, as all submissions carry the same chance of success. The next phases of sales are scheduled to begin in October.

While the numbers look impressive, the launch wasn’t without its problems. Many fans reported error messages and long waits when trying to submit their requests – an issue that has dogged FIFA sales in the past. The governing body has also confirmed that dynamic pricing will apply, meaning ticket costs can shift according to demand.

The model has already sparked criticism in host city New York, where mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani argued it risks locking out ordinary supporters. The city will stage eight matches.

Add that to the increasing international concern over the country’s gun laws, sparked by the assassination of gun advocate Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday, and the tournament is already showing signs of fraying at the edges.

Regardless, the scale of interest already in the competition underlines FIFA’s ability to generate record revenues from its flagship tournament, even in the same area that lacked the same enthusiasm for its Club World Cup three months ago.

However, the complaints around pricing and access show that the battle for tickets may prove as contentious as the action on the pitch.