Nearly two million tickets were claimed in the first three phases of FIFA World Cup 2026 sales — and Phase 4, the Last-Minute Sales window, opens in early April 2026. If you missed the earlier phases or are still waiting to hear from Phase 3, this guide covers every official way to get tickets before the opening match on June 11 at Estadio Azteca, what tickets actually cost at each round, and how to avoid the fraud risk that follows every World Cup.
FIFA confirmed that nearly two million tickets — approximately one third of the full tournament inventory across all 104 matches — were claimed through the first two sales phases alone. Phase 3, the Random Selection Draw, ran from December 11, 2025 through January 13, 2026, with successful applicants notified by email in February 2026. Phase 4 is the final window before the tournament begins.
Source: LA Times, December 2025; FIFA official ticketing communications
All Four Official Sales Phases
FIFA structured World Cup 2026 ticket sales across four distinct phases, each with different rules and timelines. Here is the full breakdown of every phase — including which are now closed and what is still available.
| Phase | Name | Dates | Method | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Visa Presale Draw | September 10–19, 2025 | Lottery ballot — Visa cardholders given priority access | Closed |
| Phase 2 | Early Ticket Draw | October 27–31, 2025 | Lottery ballot — all registered FIFA account holders eligible | Closed |
| Phase 3 | Random Selection Draw | December 11, 2025 – January 13, 2026 | Lottery ballot — first phase to offer single-match tickets by specific fixture after the group draw | Closed — winners notified February 2026 |
| Phase 4 | Last-Minute Sales | Early April 2026 onwards | First-come, first-served — no lottery, direct purchase at FIFA.com/tickets | UPCOMING — opens April 2026 |
Phase 3 Results: Check Your Email Now
If you applied in the Phase 3 Random Selection Draw (open December 11, 2025 – January 13, 2026), FIFA began sending result notifications by email in February 2026. Check your spam and junk folders — FIFA notification emails frequently trigger spam filters. If selected, your payment card on file was charged automatically. Log into your FIFA account at FIFA.com/tickets to verify your ticket status and download your QR codes.
Official Ticket Prices by Round
FIFA's 2026 pricing structure divides seats into categories based on tier height rather than proximity to the pitch — a change from previous tournaments where category determined field proximity. Category 1 is the lowest (best) tier; Category 4 and the Supporter Entry tier are the highest seats in the stadium. Prices below reflect official FIFA face-value pricing.
| Round | Cat 1 (Lower Tier) | Cat 2 | Cat 3 | Supporter Entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (non-host nations) | $620 | $400 | $175 | $60 |
| Group Stage (USA / Canada / Mexico matches) | $2,735 | $1,500 | $350 | $75 |
| Round of 32 | $820 | $530 | $225 | N/A |
| Round of 16 | $1,050 | $680 | $290 | N/A |
| Quarter-Final | ~$1,370 | ~$970 | ~$630 | N/A |
| Semi-Final | ~$3,020 | ~$2,330 | ~$875 | N/A |
| Final (July 19, MetLife Stadium) | ~$7,750+ | ~$5,800 | ~$3,900 | N/A |
The $60 Supporter Entry Ticket — Who Can Get It
FIFA introduced the Supporter Entry tier in December 2025 after widespread criticism — including from the Football Supporters' Association, which called the original pricing structure 'scandalous'. These $60 tickets (approximately £45) represent 10% of each national association's full allocation for every match. They are not sold directly on FIFA.com/tickets. Instead, each participating member association (PMA) controls distribution to verified supporters of that national team, setting its own eligibility criteria. Check your national football federation's official website for application details specific to your country.
How to Buy Tickets in Phase 4
Phase 4 — Last-Minute Sales — is first-come, first-served with no lottery. Speed matters. Complete all preparation before the window opens in April.
- Create a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets — required before you can purchase; allow 24 hours for email verification
- Log in and navigate to 'Tickets' — bookmark the page and test login before April
- Select your match — Phase 4 will offer remaining inventory across specific fixtures for all 104 matches
- Add up to 4 tickets per match to your basket — maximum 40 tickets total per household across the tournament
- Enter payment details — Visa is the official payment partner; have your card saved in your FIFA account in advance
- Complete checkout immediately — high-demand fixtures sell out in minutes on first-come, first-served phases
- Download tickets via the FIFA app — QR codes are required at stadium gates; screenshots do not scan
Three Official Purchase Channels
FIFA operates three distinct official channels for World Cup 2026 tickets. All three are legitimate — which one suits you depends on your budget and preferences.
| Channel | What You Get | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA.com/tickets | Standard match tickets + Official Resale Marketplace access | Most fans — full control over match selection | $60–$7,750+ |
| FIFA.com/hospitality (via On Location) | Premium hospitality packages — premium seating, food, beverage, lounge access, merchandise | Corporate, premium experience, guaranteed availability | $1,500–$25,000+ |
| Qatar Airways Holidays | Combined flight + hotel + match ticket packages | International fans travelling from outside North America wanting a bundled booking | Varies — typically $3,000–$15,000+ per package |
Official Resale Marketplace
If Phase 4 inventory is exhausted or you are looking for specific high-demand fixtures, FIFA's official Resale and Exchange Marketplace — accessible at FIFA.com/tickets — is the safest secondary market option. Sellers list tickets at any price; FIFA charges a 15% service fee to both the seller and the buyer. On a $1,000 resale ticket, the buyer pays $1,150 and the seller receives $850, with FIFA retaining $300. This fee structure is important to factor into your budget on knockout stage matches where resale prices can reach multiples of face value. Third-party platforms such as StubHub and SeatGeek also list World Cup 2026 tickets but are not official FIFA partners — purchase through them at your own risk and verify seller ratings carefully.
Ticket Fraud: How to Protect Yourself
World Cup ticketing fraud increases significantly as the tournament approaches. Every edition has seen thousands of fans defrauded of significant sums. These are the verified warning signs.
Team-Specific Ticket Packages
FIFA also offered team-specific packages in earlier phases, allowing fans to follow their national team through all three group stage matches regardless of venue. Pricing varied by team tier. For top-tier teams such as England, Argentina, and Brazil, Category 1 team-following packages were priced at approximately $930 per match ($2,790 for all three group games). Category 2 packages were $700–$705 per match and Category 3 packages $320–$325. For mid-tier teams such as Japan and Turkey, prices were lower: approximately $745 (Category 1), $560 (Category 2), and $260 (Category 3) per match. If your selected team failed to qualify, FIFA committed to a full refund on team-specific packages.
Calculate Your Full World Cup 2026 Ticket Budget
Use our World Cup 2026 Trip Calculator to build a full cost estimate for your trip — including tickets, hotels, flights, and ground transport for every match you plan to attend.
Calculate My Trip CostWorld Cup 2026 Ticket Sales — Frequently Asked Questions
Stay connected across all 16 host cities — no roaming fees
Attending matches in multiple cities? An eSIM lets you activate local data before you land with no physical SIM swap required. Airalo covers 200+ countries with instant digital delivery.
Secure your connection on public Wi-Fi
Fan zones, airports, hotels, and stadium concourses all run shared public networks. A VPN protects your connection when booking tickets, managing banking apps, or accessing travel accounts on the go.