The 2026 World Cup: Half a Billion Requests and a Storm of Controversy
The 2026 World Cup has shattered all previous records before a ball has even been kicked. FIFA has announced that it received an astonishing 500 million ticket requests for the tournament, a figure that underlines just how massive the global appetite is for the expanded 48-team competition. Yet this extraordinary demand has been overshadowed by furious complaints from supporters about ticket prices that many are calling utterly extortionate. Some seats for the final are reportedly going for more than $2,000—that's roughly £1,600—putting them well out of reach for ordinary fans.
The scale of the demand has been truly staggering. At its peak, FIFA was receiving 15 million ticket applications per day, a number that absolutely dwarfs the seven million seats actually available across the three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It's clear that millions of fans are going to be left disappointed, unable to secure tickets at any price.
But it's not just the scarcity that's causing anger—it's the cost. Supporters and fan groups have launched scathing attacks on FIFA's decision to introduce "dynamic pricing," a system more commonly associated with airline tickets or hotel rooms. Critics argue that this approach is pricing out the average supporter, turning what should be the people's game into an exclusive event for the wealthy. The sense of betrayal is palpable among those who feel football is being taken away from its traditional working-class roots.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hit back at the criticism, pointing to the half-billion ticket requests as evidence that the tournament offers genuine value. He insists that the high revenues generated are vital for reinvesting in football development around the world, funding grassroots programmes and helping the sport grow in less wealthy nations.
To FIFA's credit, there has been a small allocation of cheaper tickets priced at around $60, reserved specifically for "loyal" fans. However, these represent only a tiny fraction of the total, and the overall mood remains one of deep frustration and resentment.
As things stand, the 2026 World Cup is on track to become the most financially successful sporting event in history. But there's a real danger that in chasing record profits, FIFA is alienating the very people who have always been the heart and soul of football—the ordinary fans who live and breathe the game. The question now is whether the governing body cares more about its bottom line or about keeping the World Cup accessible to everyone who loves the sport.