England are set to be among the top 10 best-supported nations at the 2026 World Cup, despite controversy over ticket prices. FIFA reported record demand during the latest sales phase, which ended on Tuesday, with over half a billion ticket requests placed globally.
Host nations United States, Mexico, and Canada topped the list for ticket requests, followed by Germany, England, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Colombia. The most popular match was Colombia vs Portugal on 27 June in Miami, followed by Mexico vs Korea Republic on 18 June in Guadalajara, the final in New York, and the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa on 11 June in Mexico City.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino thanked fans for the extraordinary response, noting that the demand set a new benchmark for world sport. He expressed regret that not all fans can attend and committed to creating online ways for fans to participate.
Following backlash over ticket prices, FIFA introduced a £45 ($60) tier for every match. A spokesperson said that eight per cent of tickets for each match are allocated to participating member associations, with 50 per cent of those in affordable ranges. FIFA emphasised that as a not-for-profit organisation, revenue from the World Cup is reinvested into global football development.
