Collectors in Spain are struggling to find official Panini 2026 FIFA World Cup stickers as demand overwhelms the supply chain.
The shortage reflects the massive scale of the 2026 tournament, which has sparked a collection frenzy that exceeds the producer's current capacity to distribute stock.
This year's tournament features 48 national teams [1], which has increased the total number of stickers in the official album to 980 [1]. This expanded set has driven a surge in demand that has left national kiosks empty and online stores sold out across Spain and in cities like A Coruña.
Panini has struggled to keep pace with the public's appetite for the collection. Juan Pedro Martínez, the editorial director of Panini, said there are not even boxes available for employees [3].
The scarcity has pushed many collectors toward the secondary market. A reporter for RTVE said a rare collector's piece can cost 1,500 euros [4].
Some collectors have attempted to secure more stock through official channels without success. One anonymous collector said, "He pedido más, pero no hay" — I have ordered more, but there are none [2].
While reports from Portugal suggest the sticker fever is conquering the country, the situation in Spain remains critical. Kiosks in various regions report that the albums and packs are nearly impossible to find as the tournament approach continues.
“"No hay ni cajas para los empleados."”
The shortage is a direct result of the FIFA World Cup's expansion to a 48-team format. By increasing the sticker count to 980, Panini created a more challenging goal for completionists, which naturally drives higher volume sales and increases the volatility of the secondary market where rare items command premium prices.
