1 million Fifa world cup tickets sold so far; Good or bad?

FIFA Says Over 1 Million Tickets Already Sold for 2026 World Cup in North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already proving to be a global magnet for fans. FIFA announced Thursday that more than 1 million tickets have been sold since sales officially opened earlier this month — a strong early signal of excitement for the first-ever 48-team tournament set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Unsurprisingly, most ticket buyers so far are from the host nations, but FIFA said fans from 212 countries and territories have secured seats. And that’s before the full lineup of 48 qualifying teams has even been decided — just 28 have booked their places so far.

Beyond North America, the top ticket-buying nations include England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France, in that order. The month-long tournament kicks off on June 11, 2026, and runs through July 19.

“As national teams around the world fight for their spots, it’s amazing to see so many fans already wanting to be part of this historic event,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement. “It’s a fantastic response — proof that the biggest, most inclusive World Cup ever is capturing imaginations everywhere.”

FIFA also opened its official resale platform, where tickets for the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were already listed between $9,538 and $57,500 per seat as of Thursday afternoon.

However, the organization has yet to release detailed figures — such as ticket breakdowns by match or host city — or even a complete pricing grid, which has been standard practice in every tournament since 1990.

The announcement came just days after former President Donald Trump suggested his administration might review or relocate World Cup matches scheduled for areas deemed “unsafe,” including suburban Boston. Meanwhile, ongoing immigration challenges could complicate travel for international fans.

In a separate development, an international friendly between Argentina (led by Lionel Messi) and Puerto Rico, originally slated for Chicago’s Soldier Field, was moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, due to lagging ticket sales — something some have linked to recent U.S. visa restrictions.

FIFA said the current wave of buyers came from a lottery of 4.5 million applicants, and the next draw opens October 27, offering fans access to single-match, venue, and team-specific ticket packages.

With 16 host cities and roughly 7.1 million total seats available across 104 matches, the demand is already setting records. The lowest-priced tickets started at $60, though most matches are priced much higher. For example, the U.S. opening game in Inglewood, California, ranged from $560 to $2,735 — and resale listings have already reached jaw-dropping levels, with one ticket spotted at $61,642.

Fans could choose from four seat categories, ranging from the best lower-bowl views (Category 1) to the upper-deck (Category 4). Prices will continue to fluctuate under FIFA’s new dynamic pricing model — a first for the tournament.

Winners from the second ticket phase will purchase between mid-November and early December, followed by a final lottery after the December 5 draw, which will lock in the match schedule. Tickets will also go on first-come, first-served sale closer to kickoff.

And because every global event needs a hometown face, FIFA announced that Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić — a lifelong soccer fan and fluent speaker of four languages — will serve as a World Cup ambassador for matches in Southern California.

“I’ve always loved football,” Dončić said. “Los Angeles is full of amazing people who love every sport. I can’t wait for the World Cup — it’s an honor to help bring the world together through a game that connects every culture.”