Five million fans have bought tickets for the 2026 World Cup: a good start to the tournament! | OneFootball

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Despite facing intense scrutiny over steep pricing, fan interest in the 2026 FIFA World Cup remains remarkably high, with more than five million ticket applications already submitted for the tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to FIFA, the match with the highest demand is the Group Stage encounter between Colombia and Portugal, scheduled for June 27 in Miami. Supporters from over 200 countries have reportedly sought tickets, reflecting widespread global enthusiasm.

This substantial interest comes amid growing criticism of the tournament’s price structure, which has been labeled “scandalous” by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA). The association points out that the cost for group stage matches has tripled compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the cheapest tickets for the final priced at approximately $4,162.

In response to the outcry, the FSA, in collaboration with the European Football Supporters’ Federation (FSE), is urging FIFA to suspend ticket sales to allow for negotiations aimed at reducing prices for match-going supporters.