Unprecedented rush for World Cup tickets: 1.5 billion applications in 15 days

Staff Report: PNN

The Football World Cup is synonymous with passion, excitement, and a unique global celebration. This time, the enthusiasm has reached a new peak, with record-breaking interest in tickets. According to FIFA, the number of ticket applications has reached nearly 1.5 billion within the first 15 days of sales.

Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that a total of 6–7 million tickets are planned for release, yet the daily applications have averaged nearly 10 million per day in the first two weeks.

Infantino highlighted that in nearly a century of World Cup history, FIFA has sold around 45 million tickets in total. This year’s demand is so unprecedented that just counting applications could justify organizing multiple World Cups over several centuries.

Regarding ticket prices, Infantino mentioned that a special $60 category has been introduced for fans from low-income countries to ensure the World Cup experience is accessible to all.

The highest number of ticket applications came from the United States, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. Infantino also emphasized that revenue from the World Cup is reinvested in football infrastructure, training, and development worldwide, sustaining the global growth of the sport.

Experts say the overwhelming demand demonstrates that the World Cup is not just a sporting event but a major global cultural and emotional gathering.