FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets are finally within reach for everyday fans, not just hospitality high-rollers and corporate bigwigs. With registration for the general public opening on September 10, there’s a real air of anticipation. Registration for the first phase of ticket sales runs from September 10 to September 19, 2025, exclusively for Visa cardholders. Those who get lucky in the presale draw will start receiving notifications about their buying slots from September 29, with ticket purchasing kicking off on October 1. But let’s be honest, the nerves you’ll feel checking your inbox after September 29 will rival penalty shootout tension did you cut? Nobody knows until FIFA’s lottery gods decide.
CNF Zone (@CNFconcacaf) shared on Twitter that the first phase of 2026 FIFA World Cup™ ticket sales begins with the Visa Pre-sale Draw on Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 ET.
This round is just the starting whistle, though. If you miss out, there are more playbooks ahead, including an early ticket draw in late October and another phase after the final tournament draw in December. So, if at first you don’t succeed...refresh, pray, and try again.
How to Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets?
First: set up a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets that’s your ticket to the ticket, and frankly, the setup is easier than ordering dinner online. You’ll pop in an email, country, and state, and you’re in the running. You don’t have to enter an address or send a cheeky proof-of-life selfie. Just make sure that your inbox is active, because FIFA will guide you through every phase by email. Oh, and pray your spam filter doesn’t overachieve.
For the first phase, only Visa cardholders get a shot. As someone who once watched a friend scramble to “borrow” a Visa at the last minute for concert tickets, a friendly reminder: get that sorted now. If you don’t have one, don’t panic; October’s phase opens for other payment methods. And remember, you can register at any point in the window; there’s no advantage to being the early bird or the night owl.
The purchasing system is a draw just like the lottery, only with fewer retirements and more heartbreak. If you receive that winner’s email, you’ll be assigned a slot to log in and buy, starting October 1. Tickets are not guaranteed, and what you can buy depends on availability and… yeah, a bit of luck.
Ticket Prices
Here’s the scoop: group stage tickets start at $60, while the most expensive seats in the house for the final at MetLife Stadium can set you back a staggering $6,730. And that’s before the dynamic pricing comes into play. This year, FIFA’s using a “flexible” pricing model, meaning prices can climb (or rarely, fall) depending on demand. So if you’re used to last-minute bargains, well... good luck.
CediRates (@CediRates) reported on Twitter that 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket prices will range from $60 for group matches to as high as $6,730 for the final.
People are already grumbling about sticker shock. It’s worth remembering that in 1994, tickets could be had for $25, and even in Qatar, prices started at around $69. Still, a lot of us will pay because, hey, the World Cup doesn’t come around every season. If you want a better shot at a lower price, aim for the less-hyped games.
Anecdote time: An old colleague scored nosebleed World Cup tickets for under $100, said he made friends with strangers just to celebrate being in the building. Worth every penny (at least until the hot dog prices hit).
Here’s a quick rundown:
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Group Stage: From $60
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Final: Up to $6,730
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Hospitality packages: $1,400 to over $73,000… yes, really
Prices may be higher if demand is wild, remember the “dynamic” part!
FIFA World Cup 2026
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, making it a traditional summer spectacle again. It’s happening across 16 cities U.S., Canada, and Mexico, sharing the job. The opener lands on June 11 (Mexico), with games running fast and furious across North America until the big finale on July 19 in New York/New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Mark those calendars, double-check the time zones (seriously, don’t fly to Toronto when you’re meant to be in Dallas), and maybe start brainstorming excuses for your boss now. Soccer fever waits for nobody.
