With just 50 days remaining until kickoff, FIFA has launched a final ticket sales phase for the 2026 World Cup, putting all remaining inventory back on the market.
The governing body confirmed that more than 5 million tickets have already been sold, out of a total supply of approximately 6.5 million for the expanded 48-team tournament. Tickets for all 104 matches are now being released on a first-come, first-served basis, with sales expected to continue until the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium.
Despite strong overall demand — including an earlier claim of 500 million ticket requests — availability remains for dozens of matches. As of this week, full availability was reported for a handful of fixtures, while limited inventory still exists across more than 30 games, including high-profile matches involving the United States.
Pricing continues to be a major point of controversy. Tickets for certain opening matches are priced between roughly $1,600 and over $4,000, while hospitality packages climb even higher. The final itself remains available at prices exceeding $16,000 in some categories, underlining what many observers describe as the most expensive World Cup in history.
FIFA is targeting a record $3 billion in revenue from ticketing and hospitality, reflecting a broader commercial strategy built around premium experiences and high-value inventory. However, that approach has drawn sustained criticism from supporters, particularly over rising prices, the introduction of new seating categories such as “front row,†and additional monetisation tactics including high parking fees.
While demand at the top end remains strong, the presence of unsold inventory for select matches suggests a more complex reality: a tournament balancing global interest with increasingly restrictive pricing, as football’s biggest event pushes further into premium territory.