The official 2026 World Cup Ticket Sales Schedule will determine who gets access to the most sought-after matches in football history: a 48-team tournament across the USA, Canada, and Mexico from June to July 2026.
With demand likely to exceed supply, FIFA has implemented phased sales (including a Visa presale draw) and dynamic pricing. However, there are still real opportunities to snag the most affordable seats, starting at $60 for group-stage Category 4 tickets.
If you want to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup without overpaying, it’s essential to understand the complete sales timeline, registration rules, and effective buying strategies.
Last week, the first batch of tickets for next summer’s matches went on sale, attracting over 4.5 million fans who entered a draw for a chance to purchase them.
This guide walks you through the ticket sales process step-by-step, making it easier to know when to act and how to improve your chances of snagging affordable tickets.
It covers all official phases Visa presale, early ticket draw, post-draw random allocation, and first-come, first-served releases. You’ll also learn how dynamic pricing impacts costs and get practical tips to help you score those $60 seats.
2026 World Cup Ticket Sales Schedule Price
Table of Contents
England sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup along with 27 teams. As of 16 October 2025 (end of October World Cup Qualification), 28 teams have secured out of 48 teams to join the 2026 FIFA World cup teams.
No matter where you’re located in the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, the UAE, or elsewhere, these strategies are designed for high-demand markets and aim to help serious buyers navigate the system efficiently and securely.
Here is the 2026 World Cup Ticket Sales Schedule below –
Phase 1: Visa Presale Draw (Sept 10-19, 2025)
- Applications for Visa cardholders only
- Winners notified starting Sept 29
- Purchase windows in October 2025
Phase 2: Early Ticket Draw (Oct 27-31, 2025)
- Open to all fans (not just Visa holders)
- Purchase time slots Nov-Dec 2025
Phase 3: Random Selection Draw (After Dec 5, 2025)
- Follows the official World Cup draw
- Specific team matchups are known
- Dynamic pricing is fully active
Phase 4: First-Come, First-Served (Spring 2026)
- Final ticket release before the tournament
- Live inventory, no lottery system
- Closest to tournament dates (June-July 2026)
2026 World Cup Ticket Price
| Match Stage | Cheapest (USD) | Cheapest (EUR) | Typical Price Range (USD) | Typical Price Range (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Stage (Category 4 — lowest) | $60 | €56 | $60 – $300 | €56 – €279 |
| Round of 16 | $80 | €74 | $80 – $450 | €74 – €419 |
| Quarter-finals | $100 | €93 | $100 – $700 | €93 – €651 |
| Semi-finals | $200 | €186 | $200 – $1,500 | €186 – €1,395 |
| Final (Category 1 premium) | $350 | €326 | $350 – $6,730 | €326 – €6,259 |
The United States will host 78 of the 104 fixtures, including the final. Mexico and Canada will host 16-16 matches each. The ticket price is available in US dollars.
2026 World Cup Ticket Price List
| Item | USD | EUR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest ticket (Group stage, Cat 4) | $60 | €56 | Starting floor price announced by FIFA (subject to availability). |
| Typical mid-range ticket | $200 | €186 | Common for good seats in group/knockout matches; varies by match and stadium. |
| Maximum published (Final, Category 1) | $6,730 | €6,259 | Top-tier premium seats — limited quantity. |
| Dynamic pricing | Varies | FIFA will use dynamic pricing — prices may increase with demand or reduce in later phases. | |
| Purchase limits | — | Typically limited to 4 tickets per match and a tournament cap per account; check FIFA rules when buying. | |
| Official resale | — | FIFA will provide an official resale platform — safer than third-party scalpers. | |
Actual prices will vary by category, seat location, match demand and the sales phase (Visa presale, early draw, random draw, first-come sale). Fans can check FIFA.com/tickets for live pricing and official sale dates.
Quick Key Highlights — 2026 World Cup Ticket Sales Schedule
Early Ticket Draw open 27–31 Oct — register now on FIFA’s ticket portal for a chance to buy from the mid-November purchase windows. Don’t miss the 1M extra tickets!
- Early Ticket Draw now open: FIFA opened the Early Ticket Draw entry period 27–31 October 2025 (until 11:00 a.m. ET).
- 1 million extra tickets: This phase adds roughly 1 million more single-match tickets to the public pool.
- Host-country priority: Residents of the USA, Canada, and Mexico may get priority purchase windows—domestic fans have a better chance.
- Winners & purchase windows: Draw winners are normally notified ~48 hours after the draw and will get a mid-November purchase window to complete their orders (general sales follow).
- Very high demand: Early presales already sold millions of tickets — demand is strongest from host markets and major football nations.
- Pricing & resale: Ticket categories range from budget to premium; FIFA is using dynamic pricing and an official resale platform for transfers.
- Deadline to enter: If fans want a chance, enter the draw by 31 Oct 2025, 11:00 a.m. ET.
- How to enter: Register and submit your Early Ticket Draw entry via FIFA’s official ticket portal.
