FIFA has officially opened the door for fans eager to secure tickets to the 2026 World Cup, with less than a year to go before the tournament kicks off.
The competition will be unlike any other in history, the first to be staged across three nations, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico hosting matches, and the biggest yet, featuring 48 teams and 104 games across 16 cities.
Fans will have several opportunities to book their seats for football’s grandest event, thanks to FIFA’s three-phase ticketing system.
Phase One: Visa Presale Draw
The first stage begins on Tuesday, September 10 at 11 a.m. ET. Supporters aged 18 and above with a FIFA ID can register on the official FIFA website, with Visa cardholders eligible for the presale draw.
The registration window remains open until Friday, September 19, after which successful applicants will be randomly chosen.
Notifications will go out on September 29, followed by assigned purchase slots from October 1.
At this stage, all 104 matches will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices start at $60 for group games and climb as high as $6,730 for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Phase Two: Early Ticket Draw
The second round is expected to run from October 27 to 31, following the same random selection method.
Successful fans will likely get purchasing slots between mid-November and early December.
Phase Three: Random Selection Draw
This phase will begin after the December 5 group draw, when fixtures are confirmed. It allows fans to apply for tickets to specific matches, based on the finalized schedule.
For those who miss out early, FIFA has promised that leftover tickets will be released closer to the tournament on a first-come, first-served basis.
An official resale platform will also be launched to protect fans against fake or unauthorized ticket sales. Meanwhile, hospitality packages for select venues are already on sale.
Technical Hiccups on Opening Day
As often happens with major ticket launches, the system struggled under enormous demand on the opening day. Fans reported long waits in virtual queues, being logged out unexpectedly, and slow loading times.
Despite the glitches, FIFA insists the problems won’t affect fans’ chances of success.
“Demand for tickets to the FIFA World Cup 26 is extraordinary,” a spokesperson said. “Everyone who registers during the entry period has the same likelihood of being selected, regardless of when they joined the draw.”