ZURICH — More than five million requests for tickets to the 2026 World Cup have been submitted since the latest sales phase opened on Thursday, FIFA said, despite mounting criticism over what fans’ groups have described as excessive prices.

FIFA said supporters from more than 200 countries have applied for tickets, with the group-stage match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27 emerging as the most sought-after fixture so far.

The surge in demand has come amid strong opposition to the tournament’s pricing structure for matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) described the prices as “scandalous,” noting that group-stage tickets are up to three times more expensive than those at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while the cheapest ticket for the final costs £3,119.

The Football Association is expected to raise fans’ concerns with FIFA after being urged to lobby the governing body to reduce ticket prices.

The FSA has joined Football Supporters Europe (FSE) in calling for a halt to ticket sales to allow talks with FIFA over its pricing policy.

“We back Football Supporters Europe in calling for a halt in ticket sales and we are calling on the Football Association to work with fellow FAs to directly challenge these disgraceful prices,” the FSA said in a statement.

At the 2022 World Cup, group-stage tickets were priced at £68.50, £164.50 and £219. For matches next year, including England v Croatia and Scotland v Brazil, prices are about £198, £373 and £523.

Ticket prices rise sharply in the knockout stages, with quarter-final tickets priced at £507, £757 and £1,073, semi-finals at £686, £1,819 and £2,363, and the final starting at £3,119. There are no concessions for children or other groups.

The 2026 tournament, the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, will run from June 11 to July 19.

FIFA said the highest number of ticket requests so far have come from the three host nations, followed by Colombia, England, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Scotland, Germany, Australia, France and Panama.

Fans’ groups warned that the pricing risks excluding loyal supporters. The FSA said the cheapest “supporter value” tickets were a “laughable insult” and that many fans would be unable to afford travel and attendance.

FSE said FIFA’s approach marked the first time no consistent pricing would be applied across all group-stage matches, with variable pricing based on the perceived attractiveness of fixtures.

Following a team through all eight matches using the cheapest tickets would cost around £5,225, rising to £8,850 for mid-range seats and £12,357 for top-tier tickets, compared with significantly lower costs at the 2022 World Cup. — Agencies