The global appetite for the beautiful game has reached unprecedented heights. FIFA has confirmed that football fans worldwide submitted a staggering 500 million ticket requests for the 2026 World Cup during the latest application window. This historic figure, recorded over a mere 33-day period that closed on Tuesday, shatters all previous records for a single sporting event, underscoring the massive anticipation for the first-ever 48-team tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
A Historic Surge in Demand
As the application window for the Random Selection Draw slammed shut this week, the numbers revealed a frenzy that defied even the most optimistic projections. According to FIFA, fans placed an average of 15 million ticket requests every single day throughout the month-long phase. To put this into perspective, the demand is vastly higher than the total number of tickets available, guaranteeing that millions of supporters will be left relying on future sales phases or secondary markets.
While the host nations—the USA, Mexico, and Canada—naturally led the charge in applications, the fervor was truly global. Outside of North America, the highest volume of requests poured in from traditional football strongholds including Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. This diverse geographical spread highlights the universal appeal of the expanded tournament format, which will see more nations competing on the world stage than ever before.
The Most Coveted Matches
Interestingly, the most requested fixture was not the final, but a group stage clash that promises electric atmosphere. The showdown between Colombia and Portugal, scheduled for June 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, topped the list as the most sought-after match. The heavy Colombian diaspora in Florida, combined with the star power of the Portuguese national team, likely drove this surge.
Other fixtures drawing massive attention included Mexico's group stage match against South Korea in Guadalajara, the tournament opener featuring Mexico vs. South Africa at the iconic Estadio Azteca, and a Round of 32 clash in Toronto. Naturally, the World Cup Final, set for July 19 at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, remained one of the top five most-requested events, with millions vying for a seat at the championship decider.
Lottery Results: What Happens Next?
For the half-billion requests now sitting in FIFA's database, the waiting game begins. The governing body has stated that fans will be notified of the outcome of their applications no earlier than February 5, 2026. This delay allows time for FIFA to verify payment details and ensure that household limits (maximum of six tickets per match) have been respected.
Notification and Payment
It is crucial for applicants to monitor their email in early February. Unlike previous first-come, first-served phases, this process is a lottery. If you are successful—or partially successful—FIFA will automatically charge the credit card provided during the application. There is no "confirm and pay" step; the transaction happens instantly upon selection. A "partially successful" status means you may have won tickets to some, but not all, of the matches you requested.
Missed the Window?
For those who missed the January 13 deadline or come up empty-handed in the lottery, all hope is not lost. FIFA has confirmed that a "Last-Minute Sales" phase will open closer to the tournament. During this final window, remaining inventory will be sold on a strict first-come, first-served basis. However, given the astronomical demand seen in this lottery phase, securing seats in future rounds will likely require lightning-fast reflexes and a bit of luck.
