Fact-checking claims about 'unprecedented' demand for World Cup tickets

By — Maria Briceño, PolitiFact Maria Briceño, PolitiFact By — Alex Min, PolitiFact Alex Min, PolitiFact Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/fact-checking-claims-about-unprecedented-demand-for-world-cup-tickets Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Fact-checking claims about 'unprecedented' demand for World Cup tickets World Jun 13, 2026 1:53 PM EDT This article originally appeared on PolitiFact Grab your jersey and your pals: World Cup fever is here. Red cards may have taken a starring role at the 2026 tournament's June 11 opener between Mexico and South Africa, but little could dampen soccer enthusiasts' anticipation of watching the globe's greatest male footballers take the field for their countries over the next five weeks. Even before Shakira shook her hips and beckoned fans and players to "Dai Dai" ("Come on, come on"), as the official World Cup song's Italian lyric goes, President Donald Trump touted the event with his trademark superlatives. "Most successful World Cup they've ever had," Trump said June 10 at the White House. "They've never sold tickets at that level. They've never sold that many tickets so quickly." He made a similar statement May 27, calling it "the most successful they've ever had ticket-wise. They've never had anything that sold so quickly." READ MORE: FIFA's Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill' about ref denied US entry There's no question the 2026 World Cup has drawn excitement. Its programming is the most expansive in tournament history, with 48 teams scheduled to play 104 games in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Fans are also geared up to watch what could be the last cup for soccer icons Lionel Messi of Argentina, Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Neymar Jr. of Brazil. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said that as of June 10, the event had sold over 6 million tickets — showing "unprecedented" demand. "Not unprecedented by a little bit, but unprecedented by a factor of 10 or more," Infantino said. In terms of raw numbers, that seems to be right: FIFA reported it sold 3.2 million tickets in 2022; 2.8 million in 2018; and 3.1 million in 2014. NPR reported the 1994 World Cup, also hosted in the U.S., set the standing attendance record at 3.5 million, with game after game filled to capacity. The raw number conceals other realities about this year's tournament sales. Many of the 2026 World Cup matches were not sold out as of June 12 — and the existing ticket sales have unfolded amid pricing controversies. READ MORE: With kickoff hours away, Hong Kong customs officials seize $20 million in World Cup fake goods Ed Farnsworth, communications director for the Society for American Soccer History, told PolitiFact 2026 ticket sales are breaking records largely because the tournament includes more teams and games than ever before. Until now, the number of teams playing in the World Cup maxed out at 32 and the