The FIFA World Cup may still be less than a year away, but the excitement is already building.
A record-breaking 48 teams will head to North America, with matches taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan or planning the trip of a lifetime, here’s everything you need to know about buying tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
When Do World Cup 2026 Tickets Go On Sale?
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets became available through a “Visa Presale Draw” held from September 10-19, 2025.
FIFA announced on July 15, 2025, that general ticket sales will be released in separate phases following the presale.
More than 4.5 million fans from 216 countries have requested tickets at the conclusion of the Visa Presale Draw, FIFA announced on September 19, 2025.
Fans can enter a lottery to purchase tickets, but they must have a Visa credit, debit, or prepaid card to be eligible for the draw.
Moreover, fans are urged to create a FIFA ID through the official website.
Due to high demand, FIFA said the first phase of general ticket sales opened in September 2025 after the presale draw.
Phase 2 was held from October 27-31, 2025, with successful applicants invited to purchase tickets beginning November 17, 2025, during assigned time slots.
Phase 3 registration will start after the final World Cup draw on December 5, 2025.
Meanwhile, residents from the three host nations (United States, Canada, and Mexico) were given early access to tickets through a prioritized slot phase on November 12-15, 2025.
“We encourage fans everywhere to get ready to secure their place – these will be the most coveted seats in world sport,” Infantino said.
Meanwhile, Telemundo, a division of NBCUniversal, has the Spanish rights to broadcast the games.
Ticket Sales Phases:
Phase 1 – Random Draw (Lottery):
- Starts a few months before the World Cup draw.
- Apply anytime during the window — same chance for all.
- Request tickets for any match or set of matches.
- You’ll be notified if your application is successful.
- You must buy all allocated tickets or lose your slot.
Phase 2 – First-Come, First-Served:
- Typically occurs right after the World Cup Draw.
- Opens once the match schedule is confirmed.
- Popular fixtures may sell out in minutes.
Last-Minute Sales & Resale Platform:
- Resale tickets will be available closer to kickoff.
- FIFA’s official resale platform offers tickets at face value + cheaper fee.
- Still depends on FIFA’s decision.
What Types of Tickets Will Be Available?
FIFA offers four ways of ticketing options for each of their preferences and budgets:
- Hospitality Packages
Premium seats, exclusive access, lounges, and VIP perks are available. - Individual Match Tickets
Buy tickets for a specific match of your choice. - Team-Specific Tickets
Tickets that let you follow your favorite team throughout the tournament, provided they qualify. - Stadium Packages
Watch multiple games at a single venue.
See also:
- Hotels near Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Hotels near Gillette Stadium (Boston)
- Hotels near AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
- Hotels near NRG Stadium (Houston)
- Hotels near Geha Field at Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas)
- Hotels near SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Hotels near Hard Rock Stadium (Miami): Ultimate Guide for Visitors
- Hotels near MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey): Stay close for FIFA World Cup 2026
- Hotels near Philadelphia: Boost your 2026 FIFA World Cup journey
How Much Do World Cup 2026 Tickets Cost?
Tickets will be divided into ‘Categories’ based on seat location on the field – though not necessarily based on proximity to the action.
Fans who are lucky so gain access in the draw have been posting numbers online although FIFA has not released a full price list.
BBC reported that the first match in the United States costs between USD560 (£417) and USD2,235 (£1,662).
Prices for the 2026 final were listed from USD2,030 (£1,510) to USD6,000 (£4,462).
Organizers confirmed that applicants will be notified starting September 29, 2025, if they are picked in the random draw, with ticket-purchase windows opening on October 1, 2025.
FIFA will also unveil an official resale platform on October 2, 2025, to protect fans from unauthorized or invalid sales.
On the other hand, World Cup tickets are offered in three different categories, with prices increasing as the tournament progresses:
- Category 1 – The most expensive option located at the center of the pitch.
- Category 2 – The second most expensivse located in the corners of the pitch.
- Category 3 – The most affordable option located behind the goals.
Here’s a rough price estimate based on past tournaments:
| Ticket Type | Estimated Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | $60 – $100 |
| Knockouts | $100 – $400 |
| Final | $500 – $6,730+ |
| Hospitality | $5,000 – $70,000+ |
How & Where to Buy 2026 World Cup tickets
FIFA strongly recommends purchasing tickets only through its official website. Here’s what you need to do:
- Create a FIFA account on the official site.
- Register your interest through the provided link.
- Enable notifications to receive updates on ticket phases.
Interested in Official Hospitality? There’s a separate registration link for that as well.
Note: FIFA will allow ticket resales at face value + 10% through its official platform. Avoid unauthorized resellers to prevent scams and fraudulent tickets.
World Cup 2026 Tickets: Third phase of ticket sales to start in December after nearly two million tickets sold
FIFA has announced that nearly two million tickets have already been sold after the first two phases of ticket sales.
Fans in 212 countries and territories were reported to have purchased their tickets.
Most of them were residents from the three host countries – Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
On the other hand, fans from England, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Argentina, and France also came in droves.
These came after the third phase of ticket sales – the Random Selection Draw – will begin on December 11, 2025, at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) until 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) on January 13, 2026.
Checklist Before Sales Begin
- Create your FIFA ID and “Register Interest”
- Turn on notifications in the FIFA Ticket Portal
- Plan your budget (General, Hospitality, or Resale)
- Consider joining forums or groups to boost your chances during the lottery phase.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 main tournament, to be hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will start on June 11.
On the other hand, the opening match will be held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Visit our FIFA World Cup 2026 website for more football news and other updates.
