Launched in mid-September, an initial pre-sale draw provided football fans globally with an early chance to secure their spots for the 2026 World Cup. FIFA has confirmed that this early initiative has already resulted in the sale of over one million tickets.
This significant success highlights the immense excitement building around the tournament, which will mark several firsts: it`s the first World Cup to be co-hosted by three nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—and the first to feature an expanded 48-team format.
Not surprisingly, ticket purchases were predominantly from the host nations, with the U.S. leading in sales, followed by Canada and Mexico.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the overwhelming global participation, noting that supporters from over 200 countries have already secured tickets. He characterized this achievement as a testament to the escalating anticipation for what is set to be the largest and most inclusive World Cup ever staged.
“What an exciting step on our journey toward 2026,” Infantino said. “As national teams across the globe compete for a place at the historic FIFA World Cup 26, I am thrilled so many football-loving fans also want to be part of this watershed event in North America. Today, we celebrate the sale of more than 1 million FIFA World Cup tickets following the Visa presale draw. It’s an incredible response, and a wonderful sign that the biggest, most inclusive FIFA World Cup in history is capturing the imagination of supporters everywhere.”
With fans from 212 countries and territories already having bought tickets, another opportunity for fans to secure their attendance will arise with the next Early Ticket Draw phase, scheduled to commence on October 27.
As 28 of the 48 participating teams have already secured their spots, excitement continues to build for the final team lineup, which will be determined during the World Cup draw on December 5 in Washington, D.C.
