FIFA has officially announced that the first phase of ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup started on September 10, 2025, marking the start of what promises to be the most exciting ticketing process in World Cup history.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament is set to kick off in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, and conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. American soccer fans are gearing up for an unprecedented home celebration.
Breaking: The Visa Presale Draw Opens the Gates
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The ticket sales journey begins with an exclusive Visa Presale Draw running from September 10-19, 2025, giving Visa cardholders worldwide the first opportunity to purchase tickets.
Selected fans will be notified by September 30 and assigned specific time slots in October to secure their seats. This marks a strategic partnership between FIFA and Visa to ensure secure, seamless transactions for the world’s most coveted sporting event.
American Soccer Fever Reaches New Heights
The timing couldn’t be better for American soccer fans, as recent data reveals a dramatic surge in interest across the United States. According to SBRnet research, international soccer viewership in the U.S. has increased by 60% since 2018, primarily driven by streaming platforms such as Peacock, ESPN+, and Paramount+.
Young Americans aged 18-24 are leading this charge, with 36% willing to pay over $100 per ticket – significantly higher than other age groups.
The “potential audience is substantial” – approximately 87 million Americans express at least “a little interest” in the World Cup, representing a massive domestic market that FIFA is keen to tap.
This enthusiasm was evident during recent test events, with the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium drawing over 81,000 fans, and a subsequent Manchester United vs Arsenal preseason match attracting an even larger crowd of 82,262.
Record-Breaking Tournament, Record-Breaking Prices
The 2026 World Cup will be FIFA’s largest tournament ever, featuring 48 teams, 104 matches, and an expected 6.5 million attendees across 16 host cities. While general ticket prices haven’t been announced, FIFA has already released hospitality packages with eye-watering price tags:
FIFA World Cup 2026 First Phase Ticket Price
- Single Match packages: Starting at $1,350 per person
- Venue Series packages: From $8,275 (covering 4-9 matches at one stadium)
- Follow My Team packages: From $5,300-$6,750
- Premium Final packages: Up to $73,200 per person
Even more striking are Boston’s hospitality offerings, where group stage tickets start at $1,900 and top out at $3,900, with full seven-game packages ranging from $14,600 to $26,700.
Dynamic Pricing Strategy Sparks Debate.
FIFA plans to implement dynamic pricing for the first time in World Cup history, where ticket costs will fluctuate based on real-time demand – similar to airline tickets or concert sales.
This has been tested during the recent Club World Cup ticket price system. It has shown mixed results with some early buyers paying premium prices while last-minute shoppers found cheaper options.
Critics worry this approach could price out dedicated fans, but FIFA sees it as essential for maximising revenue in the lucrative North American market. The organisation projects a total revenue of $13 billion for the 2026 cycle, nearly double the $7.6 billion generated from the 2022 Qatar tournament.
American Cities Prepare for Soccer’s Biggest Stage
Eleven U.S. cities will host matches: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.
According to Nielsen Scarborough data, Houston leads as the host city with the most soccer fans per capita, followed by Los Angeles and Miami.
The infrastructure is largely ready, with most venues being existing NFL stadiums that require only minor modifications. However, security concerns linger following the chaotic scenes at the 2024 Copa America final in Miami, where fans breached security barriers, causing significant delays.
Immigration Concerns Cast Shadow Over Fan Access
Recent U.S. immigration policies have raised concerns about international fan accessibility. The Trump administration’s travel restrictions affect citizens from 19 countries, including Iran (whose team has qualified), and a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for most non-immigrant visa applicants could deter some international visitors.
Despite these challenges, industry experts remain optimistic about attendance levels, noting that the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. remains FIFA’s most-attended tournament with over 3.5 million spectators.
The American Soccer Revolution is Here
Several factors coming together make 2026 especially important for American soccer.
- Lionel Messi’s impact on MLS since joining Inter Miami in 2023 has dramatically increased league visibility
- More American players than ever are competing in Europe’s top leagues
- Streaming platforms have made international soccer more accessible to audiences
- Young Americans are consuming soccer content like never before, with many watching 12+ hours per weekend.
- Soccer industry experts describe the United States as “the ATM of the soccer world” due to Americans’ willingness to pay premium prices for sporting events – a sentiment that FIFA is banking on for 2026.
- FIFA Partners and Sponsors are one of the biggest revenue sources of FIFA’s earnings. Most of the FIFA World Cup 2026 sponsors are Adidas, Coca-Cola, Hyundai-Kia, Visa, Aramco, Lenovo, and Qatar Airways, which maintain multi-year partnerships with FIFA.
How to Secure FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets?
For American fans eager to be part of history, the process is straightforward but competitive:
- Register now at FIFA.com/tickets and create a FIFA ID
- September 10: Visa Presale Draw opens (Visa cardholders only)
- September 30: Successful Visa applicants notified
- October: Selected fans get assigned time slots to purchase and Second phase of ticket sales open
- Additional phases will be announced through July 2026
Given the anticipated demand, FIFA emphasises that tickets will be released in multiple phases, with different purchasing processes and payment methods for each stage.
The organisation strongly advises fans to only purchase through official channels to avoid scams.
The Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
With 5 billion viewers expected worldwide and the potential to break every FIFA attendance record, the 2026 World Cup represents more than just a tournament – it’s soccer’s ultimate American debut.
For a country where the sport has long played second fiddle to American football, basketball, and baseball, this World Cup could finally establish soccer as a mainstream American passion.
As FIFA President Gianni Infantino declared, “These will be the most coveted seats in world sport”. For American soccer fans, September 10 can’t come soon enough.
Key Highlights of FIFA World Cup 2026 First Phase Ticket Sales
- The first sales phase is called the Visa Presale Draw, open from September 10 to 19, 2025.
- Only qualifying Visa cardholders can apply during this draw.
- The lowest price for group stage tickets in this phase starts at USD 60.
- Ticket prices will be dynamic, adjusting up or down based on demand.
- For the final match, top-tier seats can cost up to USD 6,730.
- Applicants will be notified starting September 29 if they are selected. Purchase time slots open from October 1.
