FIFA has begun ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, with 4.5 million fans applying despite no confirmed fixtures or full team list

Despite no confirmed fixtures or complete team list, tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially went on sale yesterday, with 4.5 million fans from around the globe applying for the first window of access.

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The tournament, set to take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will be the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams.

Yet, with fewer than half of those spots secured and no match schedule released until 5 December, fans are still eager to secure seats.

The initial batch of tickets is exclusively available to fans who entered and won a global ticket lottery held last month.

FIFA confirmed that successful applicants are being contacted by email and given a limited time to purchase tickets before the next sales phase opens.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the response as “a strong statement” of football’s global appeal.

“The whole world wants to be part of the FIFA World Cup 26 — the biggest, most inclusive, and most exciting event ever,” Infantino said on social media.

“From Canada, Mexico and the United States to countries big and small across every continent, fans are proving once again that passion for football truly unites.”

While match dates, venues, and specific team allocations will remain unknown until the official draw in December, FIFA believes fans are more than willing to buy tickets now and figure out the logistics later.

This marks a unique situation, particularly for international fans, as some may need visas to enter the United States, which currently has stricter immigration and entry policies.

However, these hurdles seem not to have deterred interest.

According to FIFA, the 2026 World Cup — the first to feature three host nations — is already shaping up to be a record-breaking event, both in scale and in fan engagement.

What’s Next for Fans?

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• Next sales phase will open in early 2026
• Match schedule and venues will be confirmed 5 December 2025
•  Fans from all continents have applied
• policies and travel logistics are yet to be clarified for many countries