2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, marks a historic expansion with 48 teams and 104 matches spread over 16 venues. As the tournament approaches its kickoff on June 11, 2026, at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, anticipation has reached fever pitch.
Today, September 10, 2025, FIFA launches the inaugural phase of ticket sales—a limited Visa Presale Draw—offering fans their first official chance to secure seats for what is billed as the largest sporting event in history. With an expected 6 million tickets available overall, this initial release targets around one million tickets, primarily for group-stage matches, but demand is projected to far outstrip supply, echoing the 2022 Qatar World Cup where over 23 million requests vied for just 3.4 million spots.
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2026 FIFA World Cup Visa Presale Draw: Mechanics and Access
The entry period for the Visa Presale Draw opens at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) on September 10, 2025, and closes at 11:00 ET on September 19, 2025. Exclusively available to Visa cardholders, this phase operates as a lottery system rather than first-come, first-served, to manage the anticipated surge in applications. Fans can apply via the official FIFA ticketing portal at fifa.com/tickets, selecting up to four tickets per match and a maximum of 10 matches total per applicant.
Successful applicants will be randomly selected and notified via email by September 29, 2025. Those chosen will receive assigned time slots starting October 1, 2025, to purchase their tickets, with availability on a first-come basis within those windows. This structure aims to prevent website crashes and ensure equitable access, though critics note it favors those with flexible schedules. Non-Visa holders or unsuccessful applicants must wait for subsequent phases, emphasizing the “limited” nature of this initial release.
Group-stage matches dominate this phase, with all such games available, but knockout rounds may have limited options. Venues like MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (hosting the final) and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia are highlighted, with local media urging fans to act quickly.
2026 FIFA World Cup Ticket Pricing: Dynamic Model and Costs
Ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup start at $60 for select group-stage matches, scaling up to $6,730 for premium seats at the final—a significant increase from previous tournaments. For context, the 1994 World Cup in the U.S. ranged from $25 to $475, while 2022 in Qatar equated to $69 to $1,607 in USD. FIFA attributes the hike to inflation, expanded format, and venue costs, but a key innovation is dynamic pricing, implemented for the first time in World Cup history.
Dynamic pricing adjusts costs in real-time based on demand, potentially increasing for high-profile matches or decreasing for undersold ones to fill stadiums. As FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi explained, adjustments will be “balanced” across phases, encouraging early purchases to lock in lower rates. This mirrors strategies in the 2023 Club World Cup, where semifinal tickets dropped from $473.90 to $13.40. However, it has drawn criticism for potentially pricing out average fans, with New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani calling it exploitative for “the biggest sporting event in the world.”
Prices vary by category: Category 4 (cheapest) starts at $60 for groups, while Category 1 (premium) can reach thousands for later stages. Fans selecting teams or venues early may benefit from lower initial rates before demand spikes post the December 5, 2025, final draw in Washington, D.C.
Future 2026 FIFA World Cup Ticket Sales Phases
If you miss the Visa presale, additional opportunities abound. Phase 2, the Early Ticket Draw, opens registration from October 27 to 31, 2025, with purchase slots from mid-November to early December. This mirrors the first phase with random selection but is open to all payment methods.
Phase 3, a Random Selection Draw, follows the final draw on December 5, 2025, allowing fans to target specific teams once schedules are set. Closer to the tournament, remaining inventory will shift to first-come, first-served sales, running through the final on July 19, 2026. FIFA also plans an official resale platform to curb scalping, though details remain sparse.
2026 FIFA World Cup Hospitality Packages: Premium Options
For those seeking luxury, hospitality packages are already on sale through FIFA’s official partner, On Location, via fifa.com/hospitality. These ticket-inclusive offerings provide premium seating, upscale cuisine, beverages, entertainment, and extras like on-field access or celebrity meet-and-greets.
Options vary by venue: For example, at Lumen Field in Seattle, packages include Pitchside Lounge, VIP, Champions Club, and FIFA Pavilion. “Follow My Team” bundles cover multiple early-stage matches for a selected nation, with no limits on days or stages. Prices start in the thousands per match, targeting corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals, and are expected to generate over $3 billion in combined revenue with standard tickets. Unlike standard sales, these are available now without lotteries, underscoring FIFA’s tiered access strategy.
2026 FIFA World Cup FIFA Collect: Digital Token Controversy
Before today’s public launch, FIFA quietly amassed nearly $29 million via its blockchain-based platform, FIFA Collect, by selling “Right to Buy” (RTB) tokens—digital collectibles granting holders the guaranteed right to purchase tickets later. Over 30,000 RTBs have been sold since May 2024, at prices from $279 for random group games to $3,000 for bundles including the opener. These do not include ticket costs; buyers must still pay full price upon redemption.
The program, a collaboration with Modex, has faced backlash for vagueness, last-minute changes, and attracting scalpers—some accounts hold over 100 tokens. Users report “absolute disasters” in redeeming Club World Cup RTBs, often forced into expensive categories. Higher prices targeted Mexican fans ($2,799–$2,999 for Guadalajara matches), raising equity concerns. While 20% of some proceeds fund education initiatives (raising $1.4 million), critics argue it exploits enthusiasts with uncertain value.
Tips, Challenges, and Final Thoughts
To maximize chances, apply early in the presale, verify Visa eligibility, and prepare for dynamic price fluctuations. Be wary of secondary markets until FIFA’s official resale launches. Challenges include high demand (success rates ~15% historically) and accessibility issues for international fans.
As Schirgi noted, with just 10 months until kickoff, this launch signals the tournament’s global scale. Yet, amid excitement, questions linger about affordability and transparency. For soccer aficionados, securing tickets could be as thrilling—and elusive—as the matches themselves.
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