The countdown to the 2026 World Cup just got a little more real—ticket sales are about to kick off, and soccer fans across the globe are already gearing up for what promises to be the biggest tournament in history. Starting this Wednesday, FIFA will launch its first phase of ticket sales through a 10-day presale lottery. Fans who jump in will have the chance to buy up to four tickets for as many as ten different matches.
But don’t worry if you miss this first wave—FIFA has planned three ticketing phases in total. After this September lottery, another round will roll out from late October through early December, followed by a first-come, first-served phase once the official World Cup draw is complete in early December. In the initial presale alone, roughly one million tickets will be available, which is about one-sixth of the total expected for the entire tournament.
⚽ Key Highlights to Know
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Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026
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Kickoff Match: Mexico City, June 11
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Final: East Rutherford, New Jersey
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U.S. Team Action: Opening game June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, plus two more group-stage matches there
SoFi Stadium will be buzzing with eight games in total, making it one of the hottest spots of the tournament. However, fans eager to find out who the U.S. team will face will have to be patient. Opponents won’t be known until the official draw takes place at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
Now, let’s talk prices, because that’s where things get interesting. FIFA announced tickets will start at just $60 for certain group-stage matches. At the other end of the spectrum, the most premium final tickets are set at a jaw-dropping $6,730—about four times the cost of the priciest seats for the Qatar 2022 final. Hospitality packages are already available for those willing to splurge, with prices ranging from $3,500 to $73,200 per person. And yes, FIFA expects ticketing and hospitality sales combined to rake in over $3 billion.
It’s not just about money, though—it’s about scale. This World Cup is set to break attendance records, aiming to surpass the benchmark set in 1994 when the U.S. last hosted. That event featured 24 teams and 52 games. Next summer’s tournament will nearly double in size with 48 teams competing across 104 matches in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Of course, prices won’t be set in stone. FIFA will apply dynamic pricing after the draw, meaning high-demand games (think blockbuster matchups or hometown favorites) could see ticket costs climb even higher. It’s part of FIFA’s strategy to better reflect the North American market, where demand-based pricing is already the norm for concerts and sporting events.
To get in on Wednesday’s lottery, fans need a Visa card and must first register for a FIFA ID on the official ticketing website. Once that’s done, participants can log in between 8 a.m. on Sept. 10 and 8 a.m. on Sept. 19 to enter the draw. Winners will be randomly selected, and those chosen will be assigned a time slot to officially purchase tickets starting Oct. 1. Importantly, when you enter the presale doesn’t matter—the selection is completely randomized.
FIFA is determined not to repeat mistakes from last summer’s Club World Cup in the U.S., when it miscalculated demand and had trouble filling seats. By using a variable pricing system this time, they’re hoping to avoid a repeat and keep stadiums packed with excited fans.
In short: if you’re planning to be part of the action, the clock is ticking. The first chance to secure your seat at the world’s biggest sporting event starts this week—and given the scale of this tournament, those tickets won’t stay available for long.
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