The FIFA World Cup 2026 is coming soon! It will be the biggest one ever, with 48 teams playing 104 matches in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament starts on June 11, 2026, and ends with the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. If you dream of seeing live soccer action, this guide will help you get tickets step by step. We’ll keep it simple and cover everything from costs to tips.
Step 1: Create a FIFA Account
Before you can buy tickets, you need a free FIFA account. This is your ticket to enter lotteries and make purchases.
- Go to FIFA.com/tickets.
- Click “Register Interest” or “Sign Up.”
- Enter your email, name, birthdate, and country. You must be 18 or older.
- Verify your email to activate it.
Why do this now? Sales are already happening, and you don’t want to miss out.
Step 2: Understand the Ticket Sales Phases
FIFA sells tickets in phases to make it fair. As of November 2025, some phases are open or coming soon. Here’s the timeline:
| PHASE | NAME | TIMELINE | HOW IT WORKS? | STATUS |
| 0 (Presale) | Visa Cardholder Presale Draw | Entry: Sept 10–20, 2025 Buying: Oct 1–Dec 31, 2025 | Exclusive lottery for Visa cardholders (must link card to FIFA account). Winners got priority slots to buy up to 10 tickets per match. Focused on group stage and knockouts. | Closed for entries. Buying ongoing for winners over 200,000 tickets sold already. |
| 2 | Random Selection Draw (Post-Draw) | Entry: Starts Dec 5, 2025 (after group draw) Buying: Jan–May 2026 | Apply for specific matches once teams/groups are announced (Dec 2025). Lottery winners get buying slots. Covers all stages, including finals | Not started yet. Create your FIFA account now to be ready. |
| 3 (Open) | General Public Sales | Starts: Spring 2026 (exact date TBD, likely March/April) | First-come, first-served for remaining tickets. No lottery—log in early via FIFA.com/tickets. Expect high demand! | Upcoming. Leftover tickets from prior phases. |
Step 3: Know the Ticket Types and Prices
Tickets come in four categories based on seat location. Category 1 is closest to the field (most expensive). Category 4 is high up in corners (cheapest).
Prices start in U.S. dollars and use “dynamic pricing.” This means costs can go up or down based on demand. Early group-stage tickets start at $60, but popular games like the final can hit $7,000+ now.
Here’s a rough guide (prices from early sales; check FIFA for current ones):
| MATCH TYPE | CATEGORY 1 | CATEGORY 2 | CATEGORY 3 | CATEGORY 4 |
| Group Stage
|
$60 – $500
(INR 5,310 – 44,250)
|
$150–$300 (INR 13,275 – 26,550) | $100–$200 (INR 8,850 – 17,700)
|
$60–$105 (INR 5,310 – 9,293)
|
| Round of 32/16
Quarterfinals:
|
$300–$800 (INR 26,550 – 70,800)
$800–$1,500 (INR 70,800 – 132,750)
|
$200–$500 (INR 17,700 – 44,250)
$500–$1,000 (INR 44,250 – 88,500)
|
$150–$300 (INR 13,275 – 26,550)
$300–$600 (INR 26,550 – 53,100)
|
$100–$200 (INR 8,850 – 17,700)
$200–$400 (INR 17,700 – 35,400)
|
| Semifinals:
|
$1,500–$3,000 (INR 132,750 – 265,500)
|
$1,000–$2,000 (INR 88,500 – 177,000)
|
$600–$1,200 (INR 53,100 – 106,200)
|
$400–$800 (INR 35,400 – 70,800)
|
| Final (July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium):
|
$6,730–$7,000+ (INR 595,905 – 619,500+)
|
$4,000–$5,000 (INR 354,000 – 442,500)
|
$2,500–$3,500 (INR 221,250 – 309,750)
|
$2,000–$2,500 (INR 177,000 – 221,250)
|
What Do the 4 Ticket Categories Actually Mean?
FIFA divides every stadium into four price and view categories. Here is the simple difference:
- Category 1 (Most expensive – best seats)
Lower level, middle of the pitch (sidelines, perfect central view, closest to the players and benches. You feel like you are inside the game. - Category 2 (Very good seats)
Still lower level or good middle-tier seats along the sides. Great view of the whole field, just a little farther from the touchline than Cat 1. - Category 3 (Good but cheaper)
Mostly corners of the stadium or behind the goals, or higher up on the sides. You see the full pitch clearly, but you are farther away and the angle is not perfect. - Category 4 (Cheapest seats – only for host-country residents in some phases)
Upper tiers, usually in the corners or very high behind the goals. Farthest from the pitch, but still inside the stadium and great atmosphere. In many phases these are only sold to people living in USA, Canada, or Mexico.
Step 4: Buy Hospitality Packages for a VIP Experience
Want better seats, food, and extras? Go for hospitality. On Location is FIFA’s official provider.
- Packages include premium tickets, lounge access, meals, drinks, and meet-and-greets.
- Options: Pitchside Lounge (field-level), Champions Club (mid-tier), or full series (multiple games).
- Prices: $1,000+ per match, up to $10,000+ for finals packages.
- Buy at https://fifaworldcup26.hospitality.fifa.com/us/en. Some are on sale now, don’t wait!
Step 5: Use the Official Resale Platform
Got extra tickets? Or missed sales? Use FIFA’s resale site.
- Launched October 2025 at FIFA.com/tickets.
- Safe and legal, no fakes.
- In U.S./Canada: Prices can be any amount (no cap). 15% fee for buyers and sellers.
- In Mexico: Face value only.
- Transfers: Send tickets to friends for free (up to 5 per account).
Wait for this and avoid other sites!
Step 6: Plan Travel and Visas
Tickets are just the start. The World Cup spans three countries, so plan ahead.
- Visas: U.S. fans need passports. International visitors: Check ESTA (U.S.), eTA (Canada), or visas for Mexico. FIFA PASS (early 2026) speeds up U.S. interviews for ticket buyers.
- Flights and Hotels: Book early, prices will rise. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Mexico City will be packed.
- Transport: Matches in stadiums like AT (Dallas) or Azteca (Mexico City). Use apps like Uber or trains.
Step 7: Avoid Scams and Stay Safe
Scammers are everywhere, fake sites, social media ads, and too-cheap deals.
Buy Only Official: Stick to FIFA.com/tickets or On Location. No StubHub, Facebook, or emails promising “secret tickets.”
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is going to be the biggest footballing event after the 2022 World Cup. Tickets are not easy or cheap, but if you act fast, create your FIFA account today, and enter Phase 2 in December, your dream of watching Messi, Mbappé, and Ronaldo live can become real.. Good luck, stay patient, and let’s make 2026 unforgettable!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can Indians buy Category 4 tickets?
Yes, but in many phases, Category 4 is reserved only for residents of the USA, Canada, and Mexico. You will definitely get Cat 1–3, and sometimes Cat 4, in later phases or resale. - How many tickets can I apply for?
Maximum 6 tickets per match and maximum 60 tickets total across the whole tournament. - Will prices go up later?
Yes, FIFA uses “dynamic pricing.” The same seat can cost more in Phase 3 or resale. - Is there any discount for children or students?
No official discount, but children under 2 can sit on your lap for free (no seat). - What if my favorite team doesn’t qualify?
You can still buy tickets for any match. After the group draw in December, you’ll know exactly who plays where. - When will I know if I won the lottery?
FIFA sends email + you can check your FIFA account dashboard. - Can I sell my ticket if I can’t go?
Yes, only on the official FIFA resale platform (opens Dec 2025/Jan 2026). - Do I need a visa to visit USA/Canada/Mexico?
Yes
