More than 500 million ticket requests overwhelm FIFA’s World Cup system
FIFA says unprecedented global interest in this summer’s men’s World Cup has made it impossible to meet demand for tickets, after more than half a billion applications were submitted during the tournament’s random selection draw.
The World Cup begins on June 11 and will be staged across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It will be the first edition of the tournament to feature 48 teams, a format FIFA believes contributed to the surge in demand.
According to an official FIFA press release issued after the draw closed, the volume of ticket requests far exceeded the total seating capacity available across all host venues.
Pricing and ticketing criticism
Despite the scale of interest, FIFA has faced sustained criticism over both ticket prices and the allocation system. Supporters have questioned whether the process prioritised accessibility, particularly for high-demand matches.
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Tickets for England’s opening group-stage match against Croatia were priced between £198 and £523, while seats for the final at MetLife Stadium in New York City reached between £3,129 and £6,489. Those figures prompted backlash from fan groups and commentators, with the Associated Press reporting widespread frustration among supporters priced out of key fixtures.
Fans also criticised FIFA’s reliance on a random draw, which required applicants to register during limited sales windows. Tickets were then distributed by chance rather than through loyalty schemes or previous attendance.
Following the backlash, FIFA released a limited number of lower-priced tickets at £45 per match, including for the final. Those tickets sold out quickly, underscoring the imbalance between supply and demand.
Where demand was strongest
FIFA says demand came from across the globe. Outside the three host nations, the highest number of ticket applications were submitted by fans based in Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.
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The Associated Press reported that demand from England remained among the strongest worldwide, despite indications that some members of the official England supporters’ club did not take up their full ticket allocation for the final.
The most requested individual fixture was Colombia versus Portugal in Miami on June 27. The Houston Chronicle also reported strong demand for Mexico’s group-stage match against South Korea in Guadalajara, as well as for the final in New York.
FIFA said applications averaged around 15 million per day over the 33-day sales window.
Dynamic pricing and resale concerns
As with the recent Club World Cup, FIFA used a dynamic pricing model that allowed ticket prices to fluctuate based on demand. Critics argue the approach contributed to sharp price increases for marquee matches.
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Additional scrutiny has focused on FIFA’s official resale platform, which takes a 15 per cent commission from both buyers and sellers a policy that has drawn criticism from supporter organisations.
Infantino responds
FIFA president Gianni Infantino acknowledged fan frustration while defending the organisation’s handling of ticket sales.
“On behalf of FIFA, I would like to thank and congratulate football fans everywhere for this extraordinary response,” Infantino said in a statement released by FIFA. “Knowing how much this tournament means to people around the world, our only regret is that we cannot welcome every fan inside the stadiums.”
Infantino said FIFA plans to expand fan zones and digital viewing experiences across host cities so supporters without tickets can still take part in the event.
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Successful applicants will be notified by email by February 5 and automatically charged. Any remaining tickets will be released during a final, last-minute sales phase.
FIFA has also warned that holding a match ticket does not guarantee entry into a host country, noting that visa and immigration requirements particularly in the United States fall outside the organisation’s control.
Sources: FIFA official press releases, Associated Press, Houston Chronicle
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