The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America has officially begun, and with it comes a ticketing frenzy unlike any the sport has seen before. As the main ticket ballot opens on December 11, 2025, at 16:00 GMT, fans around the globe are scrambling to secure their seats for what promises to be the biggest football spectacle ever staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. But as anticipation builds, so too does controversy—especially around ticket prices, accessibility, and the complex process fans must navigate to be part of the action.
The stakes are higher than ever. Nearly two million tickets have already been sold for the 48-team, 104-match tournament, but until now, those purchases were made blind—supporters had no idea which teams they’d actually be watching. That all changes with the opening of the Random Selection Draw, as the match schedule is now confirmed and fans can target specific games, whether it’s England’s much-anticipated opener against Croatia in Dallas or Scotland’s showdown with Brazil in Miami.
So, how does the ballot work? From now until January 13, 2026, fans can apply for tickets via FIFA’s official website. Each household can request up to four tickets per match and up to 40 tickets in total across the tournament. Importantly, there’s no rush to be first—the timing of your application within the window doesn’t affect your odds. Once the window closes, FIFA will run a lottery to determine successful applicants, who’ll be notified by email in February. If you’re among the lucky ones, you’ll be automatically charged for the tickets you’ve secured, with no option to back out. Those who are only partially successful will get tickets for some, but not all, of their requested matches.
Ticket prices have become a hot topic—and for good reason. During earlier sales phases, prices ranged from a modest £45 for some group games to a jaw-dropping £5,915 for premium seats. The cheapest ticket for the final in New Jersey is expected to start at more than £1,500. For this main ballot, FIFA has clarified that dynamic or “variable” pricing won’t apply; the price you see when you apply is the price you pay. Still, prices are set based on expected demand for each fixture, so marquee matchups will inevitably cost more. Official price lists remain under wraps until the ballot opens, but fans tracking previous sales have noted that Category 4 tickets—the most affordable—are incredibly scarce. Most seats fall into the pricier Category 1 and 2 brackets, making affordable access a real challenge for many supporters.
“The pricing model adopted for FIFA World Cup 26 reflects the existing market practice for major entertainment and sporting events within our hosts on a daily basis, soccer included,” FIFA said in a recent statement. “This is also a reflection of the treatment of the secondary market for tickets, which has a distinct legal treatment than in many other parts of the world. We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans.”
But what if you miss out in the main ballot? There are still a few ways to snag tickets. Each participating nation receives 8% of the tickets for its matches to distribute to its own supporters. For England and Scotland, these precious seats go to members of the England Supporters Travel Club and the Scotland Supporters Club, with applications open from December 15 to January 13. Allocation is weighted heavily toward fans with the most loyalty points, rewarding those who’ve followed their teams through thick and thin. Prices for these tickets are expected to align with the main ballot, but there’s a catch: they cannot be resold.
FIFA has also established an official resale platform, reopening on December 15, where fans can buy and sell tickets purchased in earlier phases. Sellers set their own prices, which can soar to several times face value for high-demand matches, especially in the US and Canada. FIFA charges a 15% fee to both the buyer and seller on each transaction, a practice the organization defends as “aligned with North American industry trends across various sports and entertainment sectors.” However, FIFA has warned fans to avoid unofficial resale sites, cautioning that tickets bought elsewhere may be canceled without notice.
For those with deeper pockets—or a taste for luxury—hospitality packages are available, starting at an eye-watering $1,450 per person. The most exclusive option, Platinum Access, promises premium seating, lounge access, gourmet dining, and even the suggestion of private jet travel for the ultimate VIP experience. Details on this top-tier package are shrouded in mystery, with pricing available only upon request.
Any remaining tickets after the main ballot may be released on a first-come, first-served basis closer to the tournament. Unlike the main ballot, this phase will utilize dynamic pricing, with FIFA manually adjusting prices based on demand. That means prices could skyrocket for popular fixtures or, conversely, drop for less sought-after games if seats remain unsold. As one fan quipped, “Uzbekistan vs IC Play-off Winner 1, anyone?”—a nod to the reality that only the least glamorous matchups might offer bargains.
Stadium seating maps further complicate matters. While FIFA has announced four ticket categories, ranging from the priciest Category 1 seats near the pitch to the cheapest Category 4 seats high in the upper ring, these maps don’t reveal how many tickets are available in each category. In massive venues like Dallas Stadium, where England faces Croatia, the odds of landing a coveted Category 4 seat are slim. As Football Supporters Europe warned, the existence of these affordable seats “is still subject to caution.”
Beyond tickets, international fans face another hurdle: visas. As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reminded supporters, “Your ticket is not a visa.” Entry to the host countries—Canada, Mexico, and the US—requires the appropriate travel authorization, whether it’s an ESTA, B1/B2 visa, or an eTA for Canada. UK citizens are typically eligible for an ESTA, while Canada and Mexico have their own requirements. U.S. embassies are prioritizing appointments for World Cup ticket holders, but delays and complications remain—most notably, several members of Iran’s delegation were recently denied entry for the World Cup draw.
As the clock ticks down to the biggest World Cup ever, excitement is building—but so are the challenges. From sky-high prices to complex application processes and visa hurdles, fans will need both luck and perseverance to secure their place in football history. For now, the draw is open, the odds are long, and the world is watching as the beautiful game prepares for its grandest stage yet.
With the ticketing window now open and anticipation at fever pitch, all eyes are on FIFA and the fans as the road to North America 2026 truly begins.
