FIFA has quietly reopened ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, just days after its president, Gianni Infantino, said that every match at the tournament was already sold out.
Fans who had previously entered FIFA’s ticket lottery received emails advertising an “exclusive additional chance to purchase,” with the world governing body warning that availability was “extremely limited.”
However, supporters reported being able to buy tickets for at least 64 of the tournament’s 104 matches, according to information and screenshots shared with The Athletic.
The unexpected sales window came less than a week after Infantino claimed global demand had exhausted supply, citing more than 508 million ticket requests.
Ticketing experts say the move suggests not a lack of interest, but difficulties selling certain fixtures at current prices.
“When they say there’s incredibly high demand, that’s true. But that doesn’t mean every game will sell easily at those prices,” said ticketing analyst Jim McCarthy.
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Although FIFA has not explained why the additional sales window was opened, some observers believe the tickets were unsold inventory from the main lottery phase, while others suggest they may have been declined by sponsors or broadcasters.
Notably absent from the sale were the final, semi-finals and several high-profile group matches involving teams such as Argentina, England and Mexico.
By contrast, many of the games made available featured lower-profile teams and higher-priced seating categories.
One of the clearest examples was the United States’ opening match against Paraguay in Los Angeles, where premium tickets remained available for days despite prices running into thousands of dollars.
FIFA said the extra sales opportunity was offered to unsuccessful lottery applicants “to maximise fairness and acknowledge fans who have already demonstrated strong interest.”
Reports, the governing body declined to say how many tickets remain unsold or what will be released during the Last-Minute Sales Phase, which is scheduled to begin in April.