The FIFA World Cup 2026 (and How to Get Tickets)
The biggest World Cup ever is coming. Here’s your complete guide to dates, format, host cities, ticket sales, prices, and what fans should know before 2026 kicks off.
What Is Different in 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup (branded FIFA World Cup 26™) will be the 23rd edition of the tournament.
For the first time ever, it will feature 48 national teams, expanded from the 32-team format used in recent tournaments.
Matches will be hosted across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
There will be 104 matches across 16 host cities/venues.
Because of the expanded field and multi-country hosting, the structure of the tournament changes:
In the group stage, 12 groups of 4 teams each will compete.
After the group stage, the top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to a Round of 32 (new knockout phase).
From there, it’s single-elimination:
Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final.
The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Host Cities and Venues
United States (11 cities):
Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
Canada (2 cities):
Toronto, Vancouver
Mexico (3 cities):
Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara, Monterrey
Total: 16 venues, each expected to host multiple matches.
Tournament Format
The World Cup expands to 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four.
Top two teams from each group + the eight best third-place teams move to a new Round of 32.
From there: single elimination — Round of 16 → Quarterfinals → Semifinals → Final.
Expect a record 104 matches over 39 days.
Qualification Snapshot
Automatic qualifiers: USA, Canada, and Mexico (hosts).
South America (CONMEBOL): Top 6 qualify, 7th enters playoffs.
Europe (UEFA): 16 spots.
Africa (CAF): 9 spots.
Asia (AFC): 8 spots.
North America (Concacaf): 6 spots (including hosts).
Oceania (OFC): 1 guaranteed spot for the first time.
Final qualification playoffs are expected in early 2026.
Already Qualified
These nations have secured their spots (including hosts):
Hosts (automatic): United States, Canada, Mexico
Asia (AFC): Japan, Iran, South Korea, Australia, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia
Africa (CAF): Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
South America (CONMEBOL): Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
Oceania (OFC): New Zealand
Europe (UEFA): England
Together, that’s 28 teams confirmed so far (3 hosts + 25 qualifiers) as of October 2025.
Ticketing: What You Need to Know
Official Sales & Phases
All official World Cup tickets must be purchased via FIFA’s official ticketing portal / website (FIFA.com/tickets) or via authorized channels.
Ticket sales are being conducted in multiple phases.
The first phase is the Visa Presale Draw, where eligible fans enter a lottery for a chance to purchase tickets.
The first phase has now closed.
Only Visa cardholders (debit, credit, or prepaid with 3D Secure) are eligible to enter the draw.
Winners of the draw receive a time slot (date + window) during which they can purchase tickets.
After the draw phase, additional phases will open for general sales and resale.
Pricing & Dynamic / Variable Pricing
Base ticket prices will start at roughly USD $60 (for group-stage matches).
The most premium tickets, especially for the final or marquee matches, can be priced as high as $6,730 (or more, depending on dynamic pricing).
For the first time, FIFA is using dynamic (variable) pricing, meaning ticket costs may rise or fall depending on demand.
Some experts believe a “U-shaped price curve” might emerge: high prices at the start, possible dips mid-cycle, and upward climbs closer to match dates.
Dynamic pricing introduces risk: one fan may pay far more than another for nearby seats.
Strategy: How to Increase Your Odds
Register early for a FIFA ID, you can’t participate without one.
Be ready during the draw registration window if you aim to get tickets through that route.
Use a Visa card
After you (hopefully) get a time slot, log in immediately and have match preferences ready. High-demand matches will sell fast.
Keep an eye on later phases and official resale portals (offered by FIFA), they may offer tickets securely at closer dates.
Monitor price fluctuations due to dynamic pricing, there may be deals mid-cycle or last minute.
Risks & Caveats
Beware of counterfeit tickets that are not authorized by FIFA.
Dynamic pricing means a “lowest seat” today may not remain lowest tomorrow.
Logistical costs (travel, hotels) will be high in host cities during the tournament.
Heat and climate: some stadiums may have high temperatures (especially in the U.S. summer), raising concerns about heat stress for players and fans.
Important Notes
You can transfer World Cup tickets but only digitally, through the official FIFA app, to another verified FIFA account.
That’s how FIFA ensures all tickets are authentic, trackable, and protected from scams.You cannot transfer tickets outside the FIFA system (email, PDF, or screenshot = invalid).
For group or hospitality tickets, resale may have restricted eligibility depending on the package.
Each ticket holder still needs to download and present the FIFA Ticketing App for stadium entry).
🧠 FAQ — Everything About the World Cup & Tickets
What is the 2026 FIFA World Cup and why is it special?
It’s the first World Cup with 48 teams, hosted across three countries (USA, Canada, Mexico), featuring 104 matches from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
How do I buy official World Cup tickets?
You must buy through FIFA’s official ticketing portal (FIFA.com/tickets) or authorized distributors. Third-party sites are high-risk unless officially sanctioned.
What is the Visa Presale Draw?
A lottery phase in which eligible fans enter between specified dates to receive the opportunity to purchase tickets during a later assigned time window.
Do I absolutely need a Visa card to participate?
Yes, entry into the initial draw requires a Visa debit, credit, or prepaid card (with 3D Secure).
What’s the price range for World Cup tickets?
Ticket costs will start around $60 for group-stage matches. Premium tournament final tickets may go up to $6,730 under dynamic pricing.
What is dynamic / variable pricing, and how does it affect me?
Dynamic pricing means ticket costs change based on demand, timing, and match popularity, prices can increase or drop. You may see great deals mid-cycle or last minute.
What are chances of success in the draw / ticket phases?
Given the massive demand, many fans won’t get all tickets they apply for. Even in prior World Cups, success rates are low for high-profile games. Be realistic and have fallback match choices.
If I can’t attend a match, can I resell my ticket?
Yes- FIFA plans to operate an official resale platform for verified ticket transfers.
Can I transfer my tickets?
You can transfer World Cup tickets but only digitally, through the official FIFA app, to another verified FIFA account. That’s how FIFA ensures all tickets are authentic, trackable, and protected from scams.When is the World Cup draw (group stage draw)?
The draw is scheduled for December 5, 2025 (to assign teams to groups and schedule matchups).
What should I watch out for logistically?
Accommodation & flights since they’ll fill fast.
Venue travel and transit planning.
Heat and conditions in stadiums (especially U.S. summer).
Schedule conflicts (if trying to attend multiple matches in different cities in short spans).
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