All 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are expected to be “sold out,” according to Gianni Infantino, despite tickets still being available ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.
“The demand is there. Every match is sold out,” Infantino told CNBC.
In an interview conducted from President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Infantino revealed that FIFA had received 508 million ticket requests in just four weeks for the approximately seven million tickets available.
During the main ticket sales phase in January, requests came from more than 200 countries, underscoring the tournament’s global appeal.
“(We’ve) never see anything like that—incredible.” Infantino said, noting that FIFA had deliberately reserved “some tickets back” for a final sales phase starting in April, which will continue until the tournament concludes on July 19.
Ticket Prices and Dynamic Pricing
Addressing concerns over ticket costs, which supporters’ groups have described as “exorbitant” and which have reached record levels on resale platforms, Infantino emphasized that pricing reflects the high demand for a first-ever 48-team World Cup in North America.
“I think it is because it’s in America, Canada, and Mexico. Everybody wants to be part of something special,” he said.
He added that while base prices are fixed, in the United States in particular, “something called dynamic prices” allows ticket costs to fluctuate according to demand. Fans can also resell tickets through official secondary platforms, which can further drive prices upward.
“That’s part of the market we are in,” Infantino said, explaining that such mechanisms are standard practice for large-scale sporting events with high demand.
Economic and Global Impact
Infantino estimated that the 2026 World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, could generate $11 billion or more in revenue for FIFA, with “every dollar” to be reinvested into football development across FIFA’s 211 member associations.
He also highlighted the broader economic impact on the United States, projecting around $30 billion in revenue for the local economy through tourism, hospitality, catering, security, and infrastructure investments.
In addition to accommodating seven million in-stadium spectators, Infantino predicted the tournament could attract 20 to 30 million international tourists and create approximately 185,000 full-time jobs.
“It’s a big impact,” he said. “I hope this impact will not just be limited to the World Cup but for the future as well.”
What you should know
FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup are expected to be sold out, despite tickets still being offered.
Demand has been unprecedented, with over 500 million requests for roughly seven million tickets submitted from more than 200 countries. Ticket prices are high due to North American hosting and dynamic pricing models.
The tournament is projected to generate at least $11 billion for FIFA and $30 billion for the US economy, attract millions of tourists, and create around 185,000 jobs, highlighting its massive global and economic impact.
