FIFA said Friday that it had received 5 million ticket requests in the first 24 hours of the third phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup , despite widespread backlash from supporter groups to the latest prices.

World soccer's governing body said the figures showed that "demand from around the world reached extraordinary levels," as fans were able to request tickets for specific matchups for the first time following last week's draw for the tournament in the United States , Canada and Mexico .

Trumpeting the "excitement" of fans from over 200 countries to buy tickets for the first 48-team World Cup, FIFA signaled little sign in backing down in the face of fierce criticism when the latest prices were revealed Thursday.

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