The FIFA World Cup 2026 is approaching, and it’s already looking like it’s going to be the biggest sports event of this decade.
And compared to previous Cups, it’s definitely the biggest so far, as it’s going to have 48 teams competing in 104 matches across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In case you didn’t know, in previous years, there were usually 32 teams.
However, the size of the tournament and the epic fun it promises made the fans a bit worried about getting the tickets. Not only is the process a bit complicated, it’s also a very stiff competition so you are definitely going to be fighting tooth and nails to get a ticket or two. And it might not even be for your desired match.
This comprehensive guide is here to help. We offer a direct roadmap to getting World Cup 2026 tickets. We cannot promise anything other than valid info, because ticket sales have several phases that are random and a bit complicated.
The current lottery phase is the general sale that’s about to start in spring, as lottery closed in January.
Let’s go through the whole process where you’ll learn how to create and verify your FIFA account, navigate the lottery, each sale phase, and explore other options if the official channels don’t work out.
What You’ll Need
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of the ticket purchase process, it would be smart to ensure you have all the necessary items prepared. In a way, think of this as a requirement checklist. If you have everything ready in advance, you’ll avoid getting into delays and getting frustrated when the sale start. To start with, consider this your list of essentials:
- Email address: Use an email address you regularly use because you might get important news or updates from FIFA (such as lottery results, payment confirmations, ticket availability, etc.).
- Government-issued document: To register for an account, you need a document such as an ID or passport. A passport is better as it’s universally accepted. International buyers may have issues with using driver’s licenses.
- Payment option: Visa is the best option as both credit and debit cards are accepted. If you want another option, check which methods are available. Please make sure your method supports international transfers if you are outside the USA.
- FIFA app: Download the official FIFA app on iOS or Android, as all tickets are mobile-only. You cannot get tickets without it!
Buying a ticket via official FIFA channels means you’ll have strict rules to follow to get the tickets. For example, a person can create only one FIFA ID – which is necessary for the account – and there’s a limit of 40 tickets per household. Tickets are also non-transferable, so you need to stickto the rules to get to see your favorite matches this summer.
How to Buy World Cup Tickets
Finally, let’s go directly into the story: how can one buy a ticket for a World Cup match this summer? Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide for buying tickets.
Step 1: Create Your FIFA Account
Your FIFA account is the gateway to all ticket purchases. In other words, you need it to get the tickets; there’s no way to bypass it.
So it’s important to do this step properly, as any kind of errors can create some huge problems later that, trust me, you don’t want.
First, visit the FIFA ticket portal at FIFA.com/tickets. Once you’re there on the official site, find the button “Create Account” and click to begin registration.
The registration is easy: you need your basic information, such as your email address, name, etc. Create a solid password and verify your account. Now, the details of your account are very important.
You need to enter your full legal name exactly as it appears on your passport or ID. Yes, this means including middle names if you have them on your documents, too. Don’t forget capitalization and avoid nicknames or abbreviations.
Some other details you will need are your date of birth, nationality, phone number with country code, and mailing address. And since FIFA requires you to verify your identity, you will be asked to upload a photo or a scan of your document.
It’s thorough, I know. But it’s better to be like this because it’s essentially limiting ticket resale abuse.
Step 2: Learn the Sales Phases
FIFA World Cup tickets are sold in phases, not all at once. There are 5 sales phases in total. And that’s great news because, even if you miss out on buying tickets in one phase, you can always wait for the next one. Of course, each phase has different eligibility requirements and availability.
Phase 1: Visa Presale (Closed)
The first ticket sales phase ran from September 10-19, 2025, exclusively for Visa cardholders. This random selection lottery gave Visa customers early access before the general public. If you participated, results were distributed via email following the application window.
Phase 2: Second Lottery (Closed)
The second lottery phase opened applications from October 27-31, 2025, with successful applicants receiving purchase windows between November 12-17, 2025. This phase included host nation priority allocation, giving residents of the United States, Mexico, and Canada enhanced chances for matches in their respective countries.
Phase 3: Random Selection Draw (Closed)
This is the phase that ran from December 11, 2025, through January 13, 2026, at 11 AM ET. Unlike earlier phases, this lottery was open to all fans worldwide regardless of payment method or residency. Following the tournament draw, you could select specific matches rather than just venue or round preferences. Results will be announced in February 2026, with successful applicants being charged the money for tickets automatically.
Phase 4: Bank of America Presale (Current)
On February 10, 2026, Bank of America cardholders gained access to an exclusive presale window. It’s just for them. Interestingly, this phase introduces the first-come, first-served system, which is different than the simple lottery selection. What that means is you apply and get tickets if you are the quickest and while supply lasts.
Phase 5: General Sale (Upcoming)
The final official sales phase opens in Spring 2026 to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. Again, that means that those who are the quickest can get the tickets, while being late might result in you losing out on the tickets altogether!
This is the main part of the sale, which is when most tickets are sold. However, it’s a huge demand, so many tickets have already been sold through the previous phases.
For the general sale, it’s almost certain there’s going to be extremely high demand, websites might crash, and queues might form and last for hours. Seriously, be prepared for a grueling fight to get tickets.
Step 3: Join the Official Sales Phase
Jump into any of the sale phases that are active. The lottery has closed, so you can either join the Bank of America presale (if you have their card) or wait for the general sale. The exact date of the start of the Last-Minute Sales phase is not known, but we do know it’s going to be in March or April.
Step 4: Buying Tickets Elsewhere If You Don’t Win
Lottery rejection isn’t the end of your World Cup dreams. Multiple legitimate alternatives exist, though costs typically exceed face value. Here are your options ranked by reliability and value.
FIFA Official Resale Marketplace
FIFA operates an official fan-to-fan resale platform where ticket holders can sell tickets they can no longer use. While prices may exceed original face value, this remains the safest secondary market option with FIFA-backed guarantees. The marketplace typically opens closer to the tournament – monitor FIFA.com for announcements.
Official Hospitality Packages
For guaranteed entry without lottery uncertainty, there are hospitality packages which offer a premium alternative. Available through On Location (FIFA’s official hospitality partner), these packages start at approximately $1,350 per person for group stage matches. Of course, for Round of 32 and Round of 16, as well as third place and the final, the price point is going to be much, much higher.
But the perks are premium too – hospitality packages include premium seating, food and beverage service, and exclusive lounge access. While significantly more expensive, they eliminate the uncertainty of lottery-based purchasing. But they are undeniably for those with deeper pockets.
Secondary Market Platforms
Established resale platforms like ours offer World Cup tickets, though prices typically range from $2,500 to $5,000 or more for standard matches. However, not all platforms are safe and reliable. Only use platforms offering buyer guarantees and fraud protection – TicketCenter is one of those. We offer reliable tickets that are safe and easy to obtain.
General Sale (Spring 2026)
Your final opportunity for buying World Cup tickets through official FIFA channels arrives with the general sale in Spring 2026. This first-come, first-served sale opens to everyone. It’s going to be intense and hard to get tickets, as speed is the deciding factor for obtaining the tickets. If you fail to get tickets beforehand, this might be your final chance to get the tickets officially – only secondary markets such as TicketCenter will be left as safe options.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Tickets are expensive, there’s a huge demand, and it might be a bit complicated to get the tickets. Already, it’s a very delicate situation because you are paying a lot of money for tickets. What if there’s a glitch or mistake? No one wants to lose that kind of money for nothing.
Technical issues are common, and some mistakes are bound to happen no matter what. To avoid these issues, we compiled a list of all potential common issues you might have with your ticket acquisition, as well as the best ways to solve said issues.
| Problem | Solution |
| Your identity verification has failed | Use your passport instead of a driver’s license. Makes ure your photo on the document is clearly shown. |
| The payment method you chose has been declined | Contact your bank to enable international transactions if you are not sure they’re already supported. |
| There’s no confirmation email in your inbox | Check the spam and promotions folders. If it’s not there and it’s still missing after 24 hours, contact FIFA support directly. |
| Your name is spelled incorrectly on the account | Contact FIFA support immediately. Worst case scenario, you may need to create a new account with correct information before the deadline expires. |
| Tickets are not appearing in the app after purchase | Tickets should arrive 2-4 weeks before matches. If they are still missing within two weeks of your match, contact FIFA support with your order confirmation. |
| The website is crashing or timing out | Try a different browser, clear the cache, or use your phone. Also, try to avoid peak hours after sales are announced. If possible, use a wired internet connection. |
| You’re unable to select specific matches | Some matches may have run out of seats for the current sale phase. You can try again during another sales phase or consider getting tickets in another way (such as TicketCenter). |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I buy tickets for someone else?
Yes, but there are rules. Each ticket has a specified attendee, whose identity will be verified on entry to the stadium. If you are purchasing multiple tickets, you will need to provide the full legal name of each person. These names must also match government-issued documents exactly.
- What happens if I can’t attend after purchasing tickets?
FIFA has an official resale platform where you can list tickets for other fans to purchase if you know you won’t be able to attend. This is the only approved method for reselling tickets.
- Can I change the name on my ticket?
You have to check on the official platform, and you will need approval, and there might even be some processing fees. It’s important to submit a request right away as they take time to process.
- Do children need their own tickets?
All attendees, no matter how old they are, need a ticket. Children under 3 may be admitted on a parent’s lap without their own ticket at some venues, but this isn’t guaranteed.
- Can I buy tickets at the stadium on match day?
For this tournament, FIFA has not announced stadium box office sales. And considering how huge the demand is, there’s probably not going to be any last-minute stadium purchase windows available, so don’t rely on that. Get your tickets on time.