The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun, and with it comes a wave of excitement—and a frenzy for tickets—unlike anything seen before in the tournament’s storied history. FIFA kicked off the first phase of ticket sales on September 11, 2025, and within just 24 hours, a staggering 1.5 million fans had already registered for a chance to witness football’s greatest spectacle live. The rush for tickets is palpable, and it’s not just the usual suspects—fans from the United States, Mexico, and Canada are leading the charge, but there’s also surging demand from football powerhouses like Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, England, Spain, Portugal, and Germany.
This edition of the World Cup is groundbreaking in more ways than one. For the first time ever, the tournament will be jointly hosted by three North American nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament will open on June 11, 2026, at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and culminate with the grand final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026. With 48 teams set to compete across 104 matches, the 2026 World Cup is poised to be the biggest—and possibly the most thrilling—yet.
FIFA’s ticketing strategy for 2026 is as ambitious as the tournament itself. The process is divided into multiple phases, stretching all the way until the final match. In a move that reflects the modern, digital-first era, all initial ticket applications are being handled online. But there’s a catch: the very first phase gives priority to those purchasing with VISA cards, a nod to the company’s status as one of FIFA’s main sponsors. It’s a subtle reminder of the commercial partnerships that help power global football, and a strategic way to reward loyal partners.
So, what will it cost to be part of history? According to FIFA, ticket prices for group stage matches start at 60 USD, with the possibility of dynamic pricing that can push costs much higher depending on demand. The most expensive tickets—for the latter stages, including the final—could reach an eye-watering 6,730 USD. That’s a significant jump from the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where prices ranged from 69 to 1,607 USD. This time, FIFA is embracing a flexible pricing model, adjusting prices in real time to reflect market appetite. As one FIFA spokesperson put it, “Ticket prices may vary dynamically according to market demand, ranging approximately from 69 to 1,607 USD, which is notably different from the Qatar 2022 World Cup prices.”
The draw for ticket applicants is set for September 19, 2025, and FIFA has made it clear that the timing of registration won’t affect fans’ chances—everyone gets an equal shot in the lottery. Successful applicants will be notified by email beginning September 29, and will be assigned a window to complete their ticket purchase starting October 1. For those who miss out in the first round, additional sales phases are expected to open in October, offering more opportunities to snag a coveted seat.
The scale of the 2026 World Cup is unprecedented. Sixteen cities across the three host countries will welcome fans from every corner of the globe. Canada’s matches will be played in Toronto and Vancouver; Mexico’s games will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey; and the United States will host games in a dozen cities, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Notably, the bulk of the action—especially from the quarter-finals onward—will unfold on American soil, with venues like Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, and Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City set to feature prominently. The semi-finals will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, while the third-place playoff will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens the day before the final.
With the expansion to 48 teams, the tournament’s format will also see a shakeup. Teams will be divided into 12 groups of four. As of September 10, 2025, 18 teams have already secured their spots, including the three co-hosts—USA, Mexico, and Canada. The rest of the field is a who’s who of global football: Japan, Iran, Uzbekistan, South Korea, Jordan, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Morocco, Tunisia, and New Zealand. The remaining 30 spots will be determined in the coming months, with crucial qualification matches slated for October and March 2026, along with intercontinental playoffs and CONCACAF’s final qualifiers in November 2025.
The group stage draw, a moment fans and pundits alike eagerly await, will take place on December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington. The draw will determine the fate of the 48 teams, with Mexico already locked into Group A, the USA in Group D, and Canada in Group B. The anticipation is building, as teams and supporters alike start to dream about the possible matchups and the road to glory.
Behind the scenes, FIFA is touting the international appeal of the expanded tournament. According to Reuters, “This response has highlighted the international appeal of the 2026 World Cup, the first to expand to 48 teams in the finals, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, with a total of 104 matches played in 16 cities.” The numbers don’t lie: with over 1.5 million ticket registrations in just the first day, demand is at a fever pitch. Football’s global village is coming together, and everyone wants a front-row seat.
For fans, the logistical challenge of planning travel across three vast countries is real, but so is the sense of adventure. The chance to follow their national teams from the opening whistle in Mexico City to the final showdown in New Jersey is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And with the promise of packed stadiums, passionate supporters, and unforgettable moments, the 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a festival of football on an epic scale.
As the world waits for the final list of qualified teams and the results of the group stage draw, one thing is certain: the road to the 2026 World Cup is already generating headlines, hope, and a whole lot of hype. The first ticket sales have set the tone—this is going to be a World Cup like no other, and the countdown to kickoff is well and truly underway.
