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

Amidst the excitement of the 2026 World Cup, claims of "unprecedented" ticket sales, notably from former President Donald Trump, are facing scrutiny. Trump asserted on June 10 that the tournament had "never sold tickets at that level" and "never sold that many tickets so quickly."

“

Most successful World Cup they've ever had. They've never sold tickets at that level. They've never sold that many tickets so quickly.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino echoed this sentiment, reporting that over 6 million tickets had been sold as of June 10. He described the demand as "unprecedented by a factor of 10 or more." These figures appear to surpass previous tournaments, with FIFA reporting 3.2 million tickets sold in 2022 and 3.1 million in 2014. The 1994 World Cup, also hosted in the U.S., holds the attendance record at 3.5 million.

However, a closer examination reveals complexities. As of June 12, many 2026 World Cup matches were not sold out, and ticket sales have occurred amidst pricing controversies. Ed Farnsworth, communications director for the Society for American Soccer History, attributes the high sales numbers primarily to the tournament's expansion.

“

Not unprecedented by a little bit, but unprecedented by a factor of 10 or more.

This year's World Cup features 48 teams playing 104 games across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., a significant increase from the previous maximum of 32 teams and 64 games. Leander Schaerlaeckens, a soccer columnist, argues that comparing ticket sales across tournaments of such different scales constitutes a "false equivalency," as the sheer number of available tickets has increased substantially.

“

There are far more games and therefore tickets