Infantino Says Every Game at 2026 World Cup Already Taken as Demand Explodes
Story: Written by Daniel February 19,2026
Gianni Infantino has revealed that all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are effectively sold out, despite tickets still being released ahead of the tournament’s June 11 kickoff.
Speaking to CNBC, Infantino said global demand has far exceeded supply, with more than 508 million ticket requests submitted within four weeks for roughly seven million available seats. He noted that applications during the main January sales window came from over 200 countries.
The FIFA president, who granted the interview from Mar-a-Lago, described the interest as unprecedented, adding that football’s world governing body intentionally held back some tickets for a final sales phase scheduled to begin in April and run through the July 19 final.
Responding to complaints over rising ticket prices, Infantino explained that while base prices are fixed, dynamic pricing—particularly common in the United States—allows costs to fluctuate based on demand. He added that resale on official and secondary platforms also contributes to price increases, calling it a reflection of current market realities.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the first edition expanded to 48 teams.
Infantino projected that the tournament could generate more than $11 billion in revenue for FIFA, with proceeds reinvested across its 211 member associations. He also estimated an economic boost of about $30 billion to the US economy, driven by tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, and security spending.
Beyond the expected seven million match-going fans, Infantino said the competition could attract between 20 and 30 million visitors and create roughly 185,000 full-time jobs.
