Global excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached unprecedented levels, with fans across the world responding in massive numbers as the third phase of ticket sales opened. Within just 24 hours, FIFA recorded 5 million ticket requests from supporters spanning more than 200 countries and territories, highlighting the extraordinary anticipation surrounding football’s biggest event.
The 2026 edition of the tournament will be historic, marking the first-ever 48-team tournament, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, and scheduled to run from Thursday, 11 June to Sunday, 19 July 2026.
The initial data from FIFA shows overwhelming global engagement through FIFA.com/tickets, with demand pouring in from nearly every corner of the world. The scale of interest underlines the tournament’s global reach and the unique appeal of a World Cup hosted across three nations for the first time.
After the first 24 hours, the three host nations were leading in ticket demand. Beyond the hosts, the top ten countries of residence for ticket requests were:
Colombia
England
Ecuador
Brazil
Argentina
Scotland
Germany
Australia
France
Panama
This diverse list reflects the truly global enthusiasm for the upcoming World Cup, spanning multiple continents and footballing cultures.
Early trends indicate particularly strong interest in marquee group-stage fixtures, featuring traditional powerhouses and exciting international matchups.
The most requested match during the Random Selection Draw period so far is:
Colombia v Portugal – Miami, 27 June
Other high-demand fixtures rounding out the top five include:
Brazil v Morocco – New York New Jersey, 13 June
Mexico v Korea Republic – Guadalajara, 18 June
Ecuador v Germany – New York New Jersey, 25 June
Scotland v Brazil – Miami, 24 June
These matches involve nine national teams from five different continents, underlining the tournament’s global competitive diversity.
The strong representation of South American nations such as Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil and Argentina, alongside Central American fans from Panama, highlights how the FIFA World Cup 2026 is capturing the imagination across the Americas.
Scotland’s presence among the top ten requesting nations reflects heightened excitement among fans eager to see the team return to football’s biggest stage for the first time in 28 years. This emotional factor has further boosted demand and added to the growing global anticipation.
The Random Selection Draw ticketing phase will remain open until:
Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET)
Importantly, the timing of a ticket request within this window does not affect the chances of success, ensuring a fair and balanced allocation process.
During this sales phase, fans can choose:
Specific match or matches
Preferred ticket category or categories
Number of tickets per match
All selections are subject to household restrictions, as outlined by FIFA.
In addition to the primary sales phase, tickets will also be available through the FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace, which opens on:
Monday, 15 December 2025
This platform will allow fans additional opportunities to secure tickets through official and regulated channels.
With record-breaking demand, diverse global participation and a historic 48-team format across North America, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most inclusive and widely followed sporting events in history. The early response from fans underscores the tournament’s promise of unforgettable moments, unprecedented scale and a celebration of football on a truly global level.