The excitement for the FIFA World Cup 2026 grows as the countdown advances toward the tournament’s opening, in a match that will be held at the Estadio Azteca, now Estadio Banorte. Fans’ most frequent questions are related to ticket sales, ticket prices, when and how to buy them, and whether there will be a pre-sale with credit cards.
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Recently, FIFA detailed how the registration and early ticket purchase process will work, marking the official start of the road to the biggest tournament in football history. This kind of pre-sale represents the first official window to secure tickets before the general release and is subject to a lottery system that will begin in September.
This pre-sale system will be the first opportunity for fans to secure their place in North American stadiums, where the 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played.
When does the 2026 World Cup ticket pre-sale start?
FIFA reported that the first sales phase will open with the Visa Pre-sale Draw, which will begin on Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) and will close on Friday, September 19 at the same time.
This draw will grant exclusive access to Visa cardholders who register in advance, allowing them to participate in the random selection for a chance to purchase tickets before the rest of the public.
How to register for the Visa priority pre-sale?
To take part in this exclusive pre-sale, fans must follow these steps:
- Create a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets
- Register your interest on the official site
- Have a valid Visa card
- Log in during the period from September 10 to 19 with your FIFA ID and follow the instructions to participate in the draw
It should be noted that no payment is required to register or to be selected as a winner, and all participants must be over 18 years old.
What happens if I’m selected in the draw?
Winners of the draw will be notified by email starting September 29 and will be assigned a specific date and time to purchase their tickets, starting on October 1, 2025. However, selection does not guarantee ticket availability at the assigned time.
Once sales open, the following will be available:
- Individual tickets for all 104 matches
- Venue-specific tickets
- Team-specific tickets
How much will 2026 World Cup tickets cost?
FIFA announced that the base price for group-stage tickets will be 60 U.S. dollars (USD). However, the most exclusive seats for the tournament final will reach up to USD 6,730, depending on location and category.
This strategy seeks to offer accessible options for all fans while maintaining premium packages for those seeking VIP experiences.
Will there be more ticket sales phases for the World Cup?
Yes. FIFA detailed that the Visa priority pre-sale is only the beginning, and that additional sales stages will be enabled in the coming months. The tentative schedule is as follows:
Second phase – October 2025
- Early draw from October 27 to 31
- Assignment of purchase dates between November and December
Third phase – After the official World Cup draw
- Sales by random selection according to the group-stage matches defined
Final sale – Closer to the start of the tournament
- Sale of remaining tickets on a first-come, first-served basis
Each phase will have its own processes, payment methods, and types of tickets available, so FIFA recommends staying tuned to official announcements on its website.
“We are ten months away from the start of the FIFA World Cup 26™, and we are excited to launch the first phase of ticket sales,” said Heimo Schirgi, the tournament’s Chief Operating Officer.
Can I buy tickets if I don’t have a Visa card?
Yes, but not in the priority pre-sale phase. Fans who do not hold Visa cards will be able to participate in the subsequent sales phases, starting in October and up to the tournament final, which will be played on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Where can I buy tickets safely?
FIFA urges all fans to buy their tickets exclusively at FIFA.com/tickets. Any other channel or website could put the validity of the tickets at risk.
In addition, it was announced that an official resale platform will be enabled this year, also on FIFA.com, so that those who already have tickets can resell them safely and legally, in compliance with the local and federal laws of each host country.
In Mexico, this FIFA Ticket Exchange platform will be the only valid option for resales.
What other ticket options will be available?
As the tournament approaches, FIFA will offer additional ticket modalities, such as:
- Fan tickets: for those who want to sit with supporters of their own country
- Conditional tickets: to reserve seats if your team qualifies for later rounds
Hospitality packages, which include VIP tickets and exclusive services, are already on sale.
When and where will the 2026 World Cup be played?
- Start date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
- Final: Sunday, July 19, 2026
- Host countries: Mexico, the United States, and Canada. This is the first time that three nations jointly host a World Cup.
How many teams will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
- Number of participating teams: 48
- It is the tournament with the largest number of teams in the history of world football.
- Argentina will seek to become the third country to successfully defend the title.
Which cities are hosting the 2026 World Cup?
🇨🇦 Canada:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
🇲🇽 Mexico:
- Guadalajara
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- Monterrey
🇺🇸 United States:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York / New Jersey
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco (Bay Area)
- Seattle
Which stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup?
Canada:
- Toronto Stadium
- BC Place Vancouver
Mexico:
- Estadio Banorte, formerly Azteca (CDMX)
- Estadio Akron
- Estadio BBVA, home of Rayados de Monterrey
United States:
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
- Gillette Stadium (Boston)
- AT&T Stadium (Dallas)
- NRG Stadium (Houston)
- Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City)
- SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
- Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)
- MetLife Stadium (New York / New Jersey)
- Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
- Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco)
- Lumen Field (Seattle)
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