Demand will dwarf supply. That’s the reality as the 2026 FIFA World Cup inches closer and the first chance to buy tickets officially opens. FIFA has launched the initial presale lottery, and for now it’s a Visa-only club. If you’ve been waiting to plan a trip across North America next summer, this is the first gate you can walk through.
Here’s the headline: registration for the Visa presale lottery is live and stays open until Friday, September 19 at 11 AM ET. You’ll need two things to get in line—an active FIFA ID and a Visa card. Register any time before the cutoff and you’ll have the same shot as everyone else; there’s no benefit to being first in the door.
Selections go out September 29. If you’re picked, FIFA will assign you a specific purchase window starting October 1. That slot lets you try to buy, but it doesn’t guarantee stock. Inventory moves in real time, and the cheapest options go fast.
How the Visa presale lottery works
Think of this phase as a randomized queue that narrows the crush of buyers. It’s not first-come, first-served; it’s equal-weight entry as long as you register before the deadline.
- Registration window: Open now through September 19 at 11 AM ET
- Eligibility: Must have a FIFA ID and a Visa card
- Selection notifications: September 29 via email
- Purchase windows begin: October 1 (times vary per person)
To register, create or log in with your FIFA ID, confirm your details, and add a valid Visa card. If you’re selected, your email will include a date and time window to enter the ticket portal. You can shop any matches available to you during that slot, but choice depends on what’s left. If a category is sold out, try another match, seat tier, or city.
Don’t expect a price freeze. FIFA is using dynamic pricing—similar to airline fares—so prices can adjust based on demand, match importance, and real-time availability. If you’re shopping for a high-profile game in a large market, you’ll likely see steeper prices.
Ticket face values start at $60 for group-stage matches and can peak at $6,730 for premium seats at the final. FIFA plans to make a portion of tickets for all 104 matches available during this presale, though not every seat or price tier will appear right away. More inventory will appear in later waves.
Being chosen in the lottery doesn’t guarantee you can buy, and buying once doesn’t lock in later chances. Each phase stands on its own. Expect caps on how many tickets you can buy per match and per account—standard practice at major events to deter resellers.
One more wrinkle: FIFA has been running a blockchain-based early-access program. Even those users have reported difficulty finding the lowest tiers, a reminder that dynamic pricing moves the floor around as demand spikes.
Prices, phases, venues, and planning
The World Cup is bigger this time: 48 teams, 104 matches, and a 32-team knockout bracket after the group stage. The knockout round runs June 28 to July 19, 2026, with the final set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. That venue will be one of the toughest tickets in global sports.
Three sales phases will roll out:
- Phase 1 (now): Visa presale lottery. Register by September 19. Purchase windows start October 1.
- Phase 2: Expected late October registration (Oct. 27–31), with buying opportunities in late November or December. This opens beyond Visa.
- Phase 3: After the group-stage draw on December 5, when fans can target specific teams and matchups by location.
Each phase will mix new releases with held-back inventory. If you miss out now, don’t panic. You’ll get two more structured shots, plus an official resale market later on, closer to the tournament, where verified ticket holders can resell at controlled terms. Avoid third-party sellers that aren’t sanctioned by FIFA—counterfeits spike during the rush.
Let’s talk money. Dynamic pricing means the $60 entry point will be rare and mostly tied to lower-demand group-stage seats. Prices climb for weekend slots, marquee teams, and knockout games. Semi-finals and the final sit in their own universe. Expect taxes and service fees at checkout, which push totals higher than the sticker price.
Seat categories will range from standard bowl seating to premium tiers with better sightlines and expanded amenities. Hospitality packages, sold separately from general tickets, offer lounges, catering, and preferred seating—but at a steep premium. If your top goal is simply getting in the building, focus on standard categories and keep the search wide.
Here’s a quick checklist to improve your odds and avoid headaches:
- Finish the basics early: Create your FIFA ID, check your email filters, and make sure your Visa card is valid and has sufficient limit.
- Be flexible: Try weekday games, earlier kickoffs, and less-hyped group matches. You’ll face less competition and lower prices.
- Shop across cities: If your first-choice city is dry, look at nearby markets with easy flights. In the U.S. and Canada, a one- or two-hour flight can open options.
- Set a budget range, not a single number: With dynamic pricing, give yourself ceilings for group, knockout, and premium categories.
- Act fast in your window: Put time slots into your calendar and log in a few minutes early.
Host cities stretch across three countries, which is great for travel variety and tough for logistics. The 16 venues include Atlanta, Boston/Foxborough, Dallas/Arlington, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles/Inglewood, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area/Santa Clara, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
Cross-border planning matters. Check your passport expiration dates now. If you’ll be traveling to the United States, you may need an ESTA or visa depending on your nationality. Canada uses the eTA system for many travelers, and Mexico has its own requirements. Airlines and hotels will get pricier as matchdays approach, so aim for refundable bookings where possible.
The expanded format—12 groups of four—means there are more group games to choose from than ever. That’s where value hides. Group games often land in the sweet spot between price and experience: full stadiums, local fan energy, and a wider selection of tickets. Knockout matches are intense and unforgettable, but they sell out faster and carry premium pricing.
Expect smart staging of inventory. FIFA often holds back portions of tickets for later phases, for teams that qualify through playoffs, and for operational needs that get released after stadium configurations are finalized. If you can’t find what you want on day one, keep checking during your window and return in later phases.
If you’re targeting the final, treat it like its own project. Demand will be global, and the price tiers reflect that. If your goal is to experience the World Cup atmosphere without the final’s cost, look at quarterfinals or round-of-16 matches in large-capacity stadiums. The vibe is electric, and the price jump is less extreme.
Payment basics still matter. Use a card with no foreign transaction fees if you’re purchasing outside your home currency. Keep your billing address and profile details consistent with your bank records to avoid automatic declines. If your bank flags the transaction, time will be tight—set travel notices in advance.
Scams will rise with demand. Stick to the official sales portal. Be wary of social media offers, PDFs, screenshots, or “reservations” that can’t be verified. If a deal looks too good, it probably is. The official resale platform, once live, will be the safest secondary option.
On the operations side, FIFA World Cup 2026 COO Heimo Schirgi called this first sale a milestone on the path to next summer. The sentiment fits the moment: with less than a year until kickoff, the tournament will shift from planning to execution. For fans, that means the window to lock in seats is opening—and it will open and close fast.
Here’s a quick look at what drives prices during the sale:
- Match importance: Knockout rounds cost more than group games.
- Teams involved: Matches featuring global heavyweights move faster and price higher.
- Venue and capacity: Bigger markets with easy travel options tend to sell out sooner.
- Schedule slot: Weekend evenings beat weekday afternoons for demand.
- Real-time demand: As carts fill, prices can react.
For families and groups, decide now on your priorities—sitting together or getting into the stadium. If you’re flexible about sitting a few rows apart, you might land seats in categories that would otherwise appear sold out when searching for larger blocks.
If you’re new to FIFA’s ticketing system, the terminology can feel dense. Your best move is to read each category description carefully during checkout. Watch for restricted view notes and understand that upgrades are rarely offered after purchase. Seat maps can change as camera positions and media platforms are finalized closer to the event.
Lastly, give yourself options. If you’re set on a particular team, Phase 3—after the December 5 draw—will let you zero in on specific opponents and cities. If you care more about the event than a single team, Phase 1 and Phase 2 will have wider choice across dates and places. Both routes can work; the trick is knowing your plan before your purchase window opens.
However you play it, the first task is simple: get your FIFA ID in order and register for the Visa lottery before September 19 at 11 AM ET. If you’re picked, move fast during your window. If not, there’s more inventory coming in the next phases. The World Cup is big enough to offer multiple paths in—and this time, there are more seats and more cities to choose from than ever before. That won’t stop the rush, but it gives you a map to follow as the chase for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets begins.