FIFA Struggles with 2026 World Cup Ticket Sales

FIFA is experiencing challenges with ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's assertion that demand is equivalent to that of a thousand-year World Cup, many tickets remain unsold.

Experts, including Gilad Zilberman, CEO of SeatPick, argue that FIFA is struggling with ticket sales, predicting a drop in prices as the event approaches. Compounding the issue are high ticket prices, complicated visa applications, and increased travel costs.

The American Hotel and Lodging Association has reported a forecasted decrease in hotel occupancy rates among host cities due to reduced international tourism. In response, FIFA is developing its own resale market to facilitate ticket sales, with hundreds of thousands of tickets already listed on resale platforms, reportedly close to 2-3 million tickets available.