The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup just got a jolt of excitement as FIFA officially opened the second phase of ticket sales on Monday, October 27, 2025. Dubbed the Early Ticket Draw, this much-anticipated stage offers fans across the globe another chance to secure their seats for soccer’s biggest spectacle, which is set to unfold across the United States, Canada, and Mexico next summer. With a whopping one million tickets up for grabs and a unique focus on rewarding local supporters, anticipation is at an all-time high.
FIFA’s approach to ticketing this year is nothing short of ambitious. The Early Ticket Draw, which runs through 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, October 31, 2025, is open to all fans worldwide. However, there’s a twist: residents of the three host countries—U.S., Canada, and Mexico—enjoy a domestic exclusivity time slot, giving them a head start in the race for tickets. According to FIFA, 75% of the single-match tickets available in this phase are reserved for these local fans during a 72-hour window starting November 12, 2025. That’s a major thank-you to the communities preparing to welcome the world.
Heimo Schirgi, FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer, underscored the significance of this move. We already have seen massive interest from around the world for this tournament, and especially from within the host countries as Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the biggest FIFA World Cup yet, Schirgi said in a statement. This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time slot, will allow us to say thank you to these local fans, while ensuring global opportunity as well.
But how does it all work? Fans eager to participate must enter the draw at FIFA.com/tickets before the deadline. Existing FIFA ID holders simply log in, while newcomers create an account. The process is truly democratic—your odds of selection don’t depend on when you enter, as long as it’s before the cutoff. No purchase is necessary to join, but you must be at least 18 years old. After the entry window closes, FIFA will notify selected fans starting November 7, giving them at least 48 hours’ notice before their exclusive purchase window begins.
During the domestic exclusivity slot, successful entrants from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico can buy single-match tickets for games in their own country. Cross-border purchases aren’t allowed in this window. Once it wraps up on November 15, the remaining tickets become available to all successful entrants—both domestic and international—beginning November 17. At this point, fans can snap up single-match tickets and team-specific packages for matches in any host nation.
The numbers behind this World Cup are staggering. With 48 teams and 104 matches scheduled across 16 North American cities, the 2026 edition will be the largest in FIFA’s storied history. There are approximately 7.1 million seats to fill, and the appetite for tickets is already fierce. In the initial sales phase, more than one million tickets were sold, with buyers hailing from 212 countries and territories. Notably, residents of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico led the way, followed by fans from England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France.
Ticket prices reflect the scale and prestige of the event. The lowest-priced seats start at $60—a relative bargain for a taste of World Cup action—while premium seats for high-profile matches, like the U.S. opener in Inglewood, California on June 12, 2026, were initially listed between $560 and $2,735. The secondary market is already buzzing, with some resale listings for the opening match exceeding $60,000. For the first time, FIFA is employing dynamic pricing, meaning ticket costs may fluctuate based on demand and availability. That’s a game-changer for fans hoping to score a deal or those willing to pay top dollar for the best view in the house.
Houston, for example, is set to host seven World Cup games at NRG Stadium, including five group-stage clashes, a Round of 32 match, and a Round of 16 showdown. With such high stakes and limited inventory, local fans are already strategizing their best shot at attending these marquee matchups.
FIFA is also offering hospitality packages, available now at FIFA.com/hospitality, which include match tickets and premium experiences. The organization strongly encourages fans to purchase only through official channels, warning that tickets from resellers or unofficial sites may not be valid. Visa is the preferred payment method, though other options are accepted during the Early Ticket Draw phase.
It’s not all smooth sailing, though. While the ticket sale blitz is in full swing, fans are reminded that a match ticket alone doesn’t guarantee entry into the host countries. With the U.S. tightening immigration and visa requirements, supporters planning to travel from abroad must check government sites for the latest rules. This added layer of complexity hasn’t dampened enthusiasm, but it’s a crucial detail for international fans plotting their World Cup adventure.
And the opportunities don’t end with this phase. After the final draw for the tournament on December 5, 2025, FIFA will launch another random selection draw, letting fans apply for tickets to specific matches once the group-stage lineups are set. Closer to kickoff, any remaining tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, giving latecomers a final shot at the action. For those seeking alternative routes, some airlines and sponsors are running promotions and giveaways, adding more ways to get in on the fun.
The scale of demand is unprecedented. The first ticketing phase, limited to Visa cardholders, saw over 4.5 million applicants and more than a million tickets sold. Now, with an open field and a generous nod to local fans, FIFA is setting the stage for a truly global celebration.
As the second phase barrels ahead, one thing is clear: the world’s eyes are on North America, and the race for World Cup tickets is heating up fast. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter from Vancouver, a hopeful in Houston, or an international fan chasing a dream, this is the moment to act. With every ticket drawn, the journey to 2026 becomes a little more real—and for the lucky few, the countdown to kickoff is officially underway.
