Fans Rush to Apply for World Cup Tickets as Sales Open

Soccer fans have the opportunity to apply for tickets to specific matches at the upcoming World Cup, as FIFA launched its latest ticket sales phase on December 11. This marks the first time supporters can choose individual games in the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting in June 2026.

The recent draw for the tournament has enabled fans to gain insight into match schedules, revealing when teams like Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will take the field. Previously, ticket sales occurred through a blind ballot system, making it difficult for fans to plan without knowing the match details. Now, with participating nations placed in groups, the tournament’s path is clearer. For example, Messi could face off against Cristiano Ronaldo in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both teams finish atop their respective groups.

While excitement builds, fans should note that applying does not guarantee ticket acquisition. The current sales phase operates under a “Random Selection Draw,” where applicants will learn via email if they have secured tickets.

Ticket Application Process

The ticket application window is open until January 13, 2026, with no advantage to early submissions within this timeframe. Fans can apply for up to four tickets per household for each match and a maximum of 40 tickets throughout the tournament. To enter the draw, fans must register for a FIFA ID and select specific matches along with their desired pricing category.

There are four pricing categories, with the most premium seats classified as Category 1 and the more affordable options in Category 4. Successful applicants will be charged automatically, with notifications sent out in February.

Pricing Details and Concerns

FIFA has indicated that ticket prices will range from approximately $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. These prices are subject to change due to FIFA’s implementation of dynamic pricing, a first for the World Cup. Comparatively, during the last U.S. hosted World Cup in 1994, ticket prices were between $25 and $475. In Qatar, prices ranged from about $70 to $1,600.

Secondary resale sites are already listing final tickets for over $11,000, illustrating the rising costs associated with this major sporting event. FIFA has also established its own resale platform, charging a 15% fee on the total resale price.

FIFA allocates 8% of tickets to national associations for distribution to traveling fans. Prices for these tickets, as reported by the German soccer federation, range from $180 to $700 for various group-stage games, with final ticket prices listed between $4,185 and $8,680.

Concerns have been raised regarding ticket pricing by fan organizations such as Football Supporters Europe, which labeled the costs as “extortionate.” They stated, “This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is.”

FIFA has indicated that any remaining tickets will go on general sale on a first-come, first-served basis closer to the tournament, although no specific timeline for this has been announced. As anticipation grows, fans are urged to prepare for the random selection process, as the World Cup promises to be a monumental event in the world of soccer.