FIFA has said that it received 5 million requests for tickets within the first 24 hours.
After ticket sales reopened, FIFA reported a tremendous response. Despite growing criticism over ticket prices, the global football governing body confirmed that 5 million requests were made within the first 24 hours.
FIFA stated that after the new phase of ticket sales began on Thursday, fans from more than 200 countries showed strong interest. According to their data, after the three host nations, the highest demand came from Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France, and Panama.
The most sought-after tickets are for the Portugal vs Colombia group match on June 27. Other matches with high demand include Brazil vs Morocco on June 13, Mexico vs South Korea on June 18, Ecuador vs Germany on June 25, and Brazil vs Scotland on June 24.
Compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the group stage tickets this time are three times more expensive. The minimum price for a final match ticket is £3,119, seven times higher than last tournament. There are no discounts for children or other groups.
Ticket prices have also surged significantly for the later stages of the tournament. Quarter-final tickets range from £507, £757, to £1,073 per match. Semi-final tickets are priced at £686, £1,819, and £2,363.
In protest against the skyrocketing prices, Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has demanded a halt to ticket sales. They are joined by the Football Supporters Association (FSA) and have urged each country’s football federation to stand with fans, emphasizing that professional football cannot exist without its supporters.
FIFA has not commented on the criticism so far.
For the first time, the World Cup will feature 48 teams. The tournament is scheduled from June 11 to July 19, with the draw having taken place last week.
