January 15 – FIFA has confirmed that more than 500 million ticket requests were submitted during the first Random Selection Draw phase for this summer’s World Cup.
The application window, which ran for just over a month between mid-December and mid-January, reportedly attracted requests from fans in all 211 FIFA member association territories.
FIFA said applications averaged around 15 million per day in an effort to underline both the scale of interest and the pressure points that are already emerging around access and pricing for the first expanded 48-team World Cup.
Unsurprisingly, the three host nations – the United States, Mexico and Canada – were among the strongest sources of demand, alongside Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina and Colombia.
Colombia v Portugal in Miami was cited as the most requested fixture in this sales window, whilst the final in New York New Jersey and the tournament opener in Mexico City also predictably ranked highly.
FIFA has framed the volume of requests as evidence of global engagement, though the figures reflect applications rather than confirmed sales. With stadium supply unchanged and the tournament format expanded, a significant proportion of fans will inevitably be unsuccessful.
FIFA has reiterated that tickets in this phase will be allocated randomly where demand exceeds inventory, with applicants informed of outcomes from early February.
Even with the access headache, pricing remains the core issue. FIFA confirmed that dynamic pricing will be applied in later sales phases, particularly closer to the tournament, meaning ticket prices may fluctuate based on demand – so fans might not know how much they’re paying until its time to pay it.
While the approach mirrors strategies used across the wider live entertainment sector, it has raised concern over the event’s affordability being eroded as kick-off approaches.
Gianni Infantino described the response as “a global statement”, while acknowledging that not all fans will be able to attend in person. FIFA continues to lean heavily on fan festivals, hospitality products and digital engagement as alternatives, conveniently alongside premium hospitality packages sold through its commercial partner On Location.
The early surge in interest is commercially reassuring for FIFA at a time when the organisation is under scrutiny for cost control and delivery across three host countries.
FIFA has, once again, stressed its not-for-profit status and says it will reinvest more than 90% of its 2023–26 revenues back into football development globally.
What comes next? With dynamic pricing, staggered sales phases and a final first-come-first-served window still to come, the balance between revenue maximisation and supporter access will be tested long before the tournament begins.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]