The day has arrived: starting this Wednesday, September 10, the ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup have begun, including for the tournament’s opening match, which will take place at the Estadio Azteca, now Banorte Stadium. Fans’ most frequent questions are about ticket sales, prices, and how and when to buy them.
Recently, FIFA explained the process for registration and advance ticket purchase, officially kicking off the road to the biggest tournament in the history of football.
It should be noted that this is the first sales phase, which is a Visa Presale Lottery; this phase begins on Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) and ends on Friday, September 19 at the same time.
This presale system is the first opportunity for fans to secure their place in the North American stadiums, where the 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be played.
How to buy tickets for the 2026 World Cup?
The first thing to know is that during this stage, only Visa cardholders who pre-register will be granted exclusive access, allowing them to participate in a random selection process for a chance to buy tickets before the public.
Visit FIFA’s official website and make sure you’re registered. Click this link to do so. Choose the Tickets option, then More Info. You will then be redirected to a waiting list; to enter, just complete the captcha code.
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Once you’ve entered the captcha, you’ll be redirected to the virtual queue, where you’ll wait until it’s your turn. This is the message you’ll see:
Thank you for waiting to participate in the Visa Preferred Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26™. As your access time approaches, a countdown will appear. When it hits zero, an “ENTER” button will show up and will be active for 5 minutes. Click it to enter. Keep an eye on your position in the queue so you don’t miss the opportunity to submit your participation to the Visa Preferred Draw.
Do not refresh or leave the page, as you could lose your place in line.
The Visa Preferred Draw will determine which customers are invited to return later to purchase tickets in a later phase, based on order of arrival (subject to availability). Draw results will be announced starting September 29, 2025. Selected applicants will be assigned a specific date and time to buy tickets, based on order of arrival (subject to availability).
IMPORTANT: Have a valid, current VISA card enabled with 3D Secure on hand (credit, debit, or prepaid reloadable), as it is required to participate in the draw.
How much will tickets cost for the 2026 World Cup?
FIFA announced that the base price for group stage tickets will be 60 USD. However, premium seats for the tournament final will go as high as 6,730 USD, depending on seat location and category.
This strategy aims to offer accessible options for all fans while maintaining VIP packages for those seeking premium experiences.
What happens if I’m selected in the draw?
Winners will be notified by email starting September 29 and will be assigned a specific date and time to purchase their tickets, beginning 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 ticket packages
- Team-specific ticket packages
Will there be more ticket sales phases?
Yes. FIFA stated that the Visa Preferred Presale is only the beginning. More ticketing phases will open in the coming months. Tentative calendar:
Second Phase – October 2025
- Early draw from October 27 to 31
- Purchase dates assigned between November and December
Third Phase – After the official World Cup Draw
- Random selection sales based on group stage matchups
Final Sales – Close to tournament kickoff
- Remaining tickets sold on a first come, first served basis
Each phase will have its own process, payment methods, and ticket types available. FIFA recommends staying updated via its official website.
“We are ten months away from the start of the FIFA World Cup 26™, and we’re excited to launch the first ticket sales phase,” said Heimo Schirgi, Chief Operating Officer of the tournament.
Can I buy tickets if I don’t have a Visa card?
Yes, but not in the preferred presale phase. Fans without Visa cards will be able to participate in the following sales phases, from October until the final match on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
Where can I safely buy tickets?
FIFA urges all fans to buy tickets exclusively from FIFA.com/tickets. Any other source or website could compromise the validity of your tickets.
Additionally, FIFA announced that an official resale platform will be launched this year at FIFA.com, allowing those with tickets to resell them legally and safely, in accordance with local and federal laws of each host country.
In Mexico, this FIFA Ticket Exchange platform will be the only valid option for reselling tickets.
What other ticket options will be available?
As the tournament nears, FIFA will offer additional ticketing options such as:
- Fan tickets: for those who want to sit with fans from the same country
- Conditional tickets: to reserve seats if your team qualifies for later rounds
Hospitality packages, which include VIP tickets and exclusive services, are also 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 a World Cup is jointly hosted by three nations.
How many teams will participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026?
- Number of teams: 48
- This will be the largest World Cup in history.
- Argentina will attempt to become the third country to successfully defend the title.
What cities will host 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
What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup?
Canada:
- Toronto Stadium
- BC Place Vancouver
Mexico:
- Banorte Stadium, formerly Azteca (Mexico City)
- Akron Stadium
- BBVA Stadium, 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)
