FIFA President Celebrates 1 Million Fans at 2026 World Cup After Five Days

FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his delight at the strong fan turnout for the 2026 World Cup, announcing that one million spectators had already passed through stadium gates after only five days of the tournament. He took to Instagram to share his enthusiasm, thanking the supporters who have "filled" the venues across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Infantino lauded the event as "the most inclusive World Cup," a sentiment accompanied by a photo of him with the holder of the millionth ticket. The tournament, which kicked off last Thursday, has already seen sixteen of its 104 scheduled matches played. This edition is notable for being the first to be hosted across three nations and for expanding the number of participating teams to 48, up from the previous 32.

“

Wow, 1 million fans in the stadiums!

Despite the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the fan numbers, the pre-tournament period was marked by significant criticism regarding the high cost of tickets. This issue has been a point of contention for potential attendees, raising questions about accessibility for fans.

The early success in terms of attendance, however, suggests a strong public appetite for the expanded format and the unique multi-country hosting arrangement. FIFA will be looking to maintain this momentum throughout the remainder of the competition.

“

You have given life to the most inclusive FIFA World Cup.