The FIFA World Cup 2026, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, will feature 104 matches in 16 cities. World Cup 2026 Tickets sales are managed exclusively through FIFA’s official platform on the official site to combat scalping and ensure fair access.
Due to overwhelming demand, FIFA World Cup tickets are released in phases, with the first phase (a Visa cardholder presale draw) having closed in September 2025.
The main public World Cup 2026 Tickets ballot, often referred to as the “random draw” or lottery, opens tomorrow and is the best opportunity to apply for standard tickets.
World Cup 2026 Tickets Ballot Process, Price, Visas, and Travel
How the Ballot Works
- Registration and Application Window: From 16:00 GMT on Thursday, December 12, 2025, fans aged 18 and over can sign up or log in with a free FIFA ID to apply for tickets. The application window stays open until January 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local in each host country. You can pick up to 10 specific matches—or “buckets” of games, like all group-stage matches in one city—and request up to 4 tickets per match, with a household cap of 40 tickets total for the tournament.
- Selection Process: FIFA holds a random lottery once the application window closes—no purchase required, and when you apply doesn’t change your chances. Winners will get an email in February 2026 and be automatically charged using the payment method on file (credit or debit card, with Visa as the official partner).
- Key Rules: Each application is tied to a FIFA ID, with one allowed per person or household. You’ll need to agree to the terms, including no reselling outside FIFA’s official platform, which takes a 15% fee. If you don’t get tickets, you can try again in later phases, such as first-come, first-served sales starting in late 2025, though those may feature dynamic pricing, where prices change based on demand.
Other Access Routes:
- National Team Allocations: Eight percent of tickets for each match are allocated to the participating federations (for example, England’s FA distributes them to supporters through clubs), with prices matching those in the main ballot.
- Hospitality Packages: Premium options (e.g., VIP lounges, premium seating) are on sale now via FIFA Hospitality, starting in the thousands of USD.
- Resale: Official FIFA resale opens post-ballot; avoid unauthorized sites to prevent invalid tickets.
FIFA emphasizes applying early in the window to review options thoroughly, as the site may experience high traffic.
World Cup 2026 Tickets Price List
Ticket prices are listed in USD and depend on the match stage, seating category (C1: premium midfield; C2/C3: standard; C4: budget behind goals or upper tiers), and whether it’s a host nation opener, which costs more due to demand.
The main ballot doesn’t use dynamic pricing rates are fixed based on expected demand—but prices may change in later phases. In the presale, tickets ranged from approximately $60 (£45) for the cheapest to $6,730 (£5,915) for the most expensive. C4 seats, in particular, have limited availability.
Here’s a breakdown of indicative price ranges by stage (based on official announcements; exact prices for your selected matches will be shown during application):
| Match Stage | Price Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (non-host matches) | $60 – $620 | Lowest entry price: C4 seats starting at $60. |
| Group Stage (US/Canada/Mexico openers) | $75 – $2,735 | Prices are higher for host nation games, such as the US opener in LA, which can cost up to $2,735 for C1. |
| Round of 32 | $105 – $750 | – |
| Round of 16 | $170 – $980 | – |
| Quarter-Finals | $275 – $1,775 | – |
| Semi-Finals | $420 – $3,295 | – |
| Final (MetLife Stadium, NJ) | $2,030 – $7,875 | C4 from ~$1,900; resale prices already inflating to $5,800+. |
Hospitality adds $1,000–$10,000+ per ticket for perks such as guaranteed seats and access to events. On secondary markets like StubHub, group-stage tickets start at $100–$300 now, but official purchases are recommended to avoid risks.
Visas and Travel Requirements
Having a World Cup ticket doesn’t automatically get you into a host country—immigration rules are separate and depend on your nationality, passport validity (at least six months beyond your stay), and the reason for your visit.
It’s best to apply early, as visa wait times in some places can top 800 days, like for US visas from Mexico or Colombia. There’s no special “Fan ID” or blanket visa for 2026.
By Host Country
- United States (78 matches, including final):
- Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Countries (e.g., UK, most EU, Australia, Japan): Apply for ESTA online ($21, valid 2 years for 90-day stays). No interview needed.
- Other Nationalities: B1/B2 visitor visa required (apply via DS-160 form, ~$185 fee, interview at US embassy). Ticket holders get priority via FIFA PASS (expedited appointments within 6–8 weeks), launching early 2026—opt in when buying tickets. If your current wait time is post-June 2026, hold off until PASS details drop.
- Travel Ban Note: A June 2025 US policy restricts entry from 19 countries (mostly Middle East/Africa) unless visas were issued pre-June 9, 2025—impacting fans from those nations for US games.
- Canada (13 matches, e.g., Toronto/Vancouver):
- Most visitors need a visitor visa (~CAD 100) or eTA (~CAD 7, for air travel; valid 5 years). Apply online via IRCC; processing 2–4 weeks if complete. UK citizens qualify for eTA. No specific World Cup priority, but apply early.
- Mexico (13 matches, e.g., Mexico City/Monterrey):
- Visa-free for 180+ countries (including UK, EU, US, most of South America) for up to 180 days with a valid passport. No eTA needed.
For multi-country travel, check border rules (e.g., US-Canada land crossings require passports). Use official sites: US State Dept, Canada.ca, Mexico’s SRE. FIFA’s travel hub has more: inside.fifa.com/travel. Consult your government’s advice for safety and updates.