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If you are planning to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup, securing tickets is the first big step. With 48 teams, 104 matches, and demand from every corner of the globe, the ticketing process is one of the most competitive in sports. This complete guide walks you through how the official ticket sales work, what each phase offers, and the tactics that give you the best chance of getting into the match you want.
FIFA is the only authorised seller of World Cup tickets, through its official portal at FIFA.com/tickets. Tickets are sold in phases, starting with random-selection draws and moving to first-come-first-served sales as the tournament approaches. Buying anywhere outside FIFA’s official platform carries the real risk of receiving counterfeit tickets that are voided at the gate.
The first window is open exclusively to Visa cardholders, who can apply in a random-draw lottery. Applicants choose the matches they want and FIFA selects winners by random ballot. Demand is enormous, so even applying does not guarantee tickets, but it is the earliest possible window.
The second phase opens to the general public, also as a random-selection draw. Again you submit requests for specific matches, and successful applicants are notified by email. This phase typically opens later in the cycle, once the draw determines which teams play in which cities.
A further random-draw phase runs closer to the tournament, giving more fans a chance after team match-ups are confirmed.
The final phase moves to a real-time, first-come first-served sale of remaining inventory. This is where unsuccessful draw applicants get another shot, but the most-wanted matches sell out within minutes.
Closer to kickoff, FIFA releases small batches of returned and additional tickets. These are unpredictable but offer a final chance to grab seats.
FIFA typically offers four ticket categories, with Category 1 being the best seats and Category 4 the most affordable, often reserved for residents of the host country. Prices rise significantly through the tournament, with group-stage tickets among the cheapest and the final commanding the highest prices in World Cup history. Hospitality packages, sold through FIFA’s official hospitality partner, are a separate premium option.
Never buy from social media sellers, marketplaces, or third-party sites claiming exclusive access. Counterfeit tickets are a massive industry around World Cups, and only tickets purchased through official FIFA channels are guaranteed valid at the gate. If a deal seems too good to be true, it is. Tickets are issued digitally and tied to your FIFA ID, so resale outside FIFA’s own resale platform is also restricted.
Official sales have been running in phases since 2025, beginning with a Visa presale draw and continuing through random-selection draws and first-come-first-served sales as the tournament approaches.
Prices vary by phase, category, and match. Group-stage tickets are the cheapest, while final and semi-final tickets command record-high prices. Hospitality packages are sold separately.
Only through FIFA.com/tickets, the sole authorised seller. Any other platform carries the risk of counterfeit tickets that are voided at the venue.
Yes, but only through FIFA’s official resale platform. Selling tickets through unofficial channels can lead to cancellation.
Got your tickets? Get matchday-ready in an authentic national team jersey and read our guide to spotting fake jerseys so you buy real.
Last updated: June 2026