BY Issah Olegor
With just months to go before the world’s biggest football festival kicks off in North America, global anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached a new peak.
FIFA has confirmed that nearly two million tickets have already been sold across the first two phases of ticket sales—an unprecedented milestone that reflects the tournament’s historic scale and the growing global appetite for the expanded 48-team competition.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks the first time the tournament will be staged across three nations.
It also represents the largest expansion in the tournament’s history, increasing from 32 to 48 teams, a shift FIFA has defended as necessary to give more countries the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage.
Interest has surged steadily since the first sales window opened in 2023, with FIFA reporting ticket applications from 212 countries and territories, further underscoring the event’s global appeal.
Unsurprisingly, demand has been highest from fans within the host nations, particularly the United States, whose massive stadium capacities and diverse football fan base are expected to contribute to record-breaking attendance.
Strong purchasing activity has also been recorded from football-heavy nations such as England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France—countries with large travelling fan cultures and deep World Cup traditions.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino applauded the early buyers, emphasising that the next major opportunity for fans to secure seats will begin immediately after the Final Draw, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., on 11 December 2025.
The draw will officially determine group-stage matchups, unlocking a new wave of ticket demand.
Heimo Schirgi, FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer, highlighted the escalating excitement, noting that the opening match in Mexico City—to be played at the iconic Estadio Azteca—is now fewer than 200 days away.
The match is expected to be one of the most sought-after fixtures, given its symbolic significance as the first match of the expanded World Cup.
The forthcoming third ticketing phase, known as the Random Selection Draw, will open on 11 December and run through 13 January.
During this period, fans can apply for single-match tickets based on the newly confirmed match schedule.
Supporters of qualified nations will also have the option to apply for Participating Member Association (PMA) tickets, though eligibility will depend on rules set by individual football federations.
FIFA has also reminded fans about the availability of hospitality packages, which offer premium matchday experiences but must be purchased exclusively through FIFA’s official platform.
The governing body continues to warn supporters against buying from unauthorised channels, stressing that only tickets bought through FIFA guarantee authenticity.
