The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially moved into a new phase, with ticket sales opening through FIFA’s first presale draw on Wednesday. Fans across the globe now have a chance to lock in their seats for what will be the biggest World Cup ever staged, 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament, already being billed as a once-in-a-generation spectacle, is expected to draw unprecedented demand from supporters and bettors alike. With group-stage tickets starting as low as $60 and premium seats for the final soaring to nearly $7,000, the competition for access is fierce. And for those following the action with money on the line, securing a ticket isn’t just about atmosphere, it’s about getting closer to the games, players, and storylines that will shape the betting markets in real time.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets: How to enter the draw
Visa cardholders aged 18 or older can register for the presale draw through the FIFA ticketing website. Applications will remain open until Friday, September 19 at 11 a.m. ET.
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Winners, chosen through a randomized selection, will be notified from September 29 and assigned time slots to purchase tickets starting October 1.
2026 Fifa World Cup ticket prices and availability
FIFA has confirmed that tickets for group-stage matches will start at $60, while prices for the final at MetLife Stadium could climb to as much as $6,730. Fans can apply for:
- Single match tickets for all 104 matches
- Venue-specific tickets
- Team-specific tickets
Hospitality packages at selected venues are already on sale.
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Key Fifa World Cup 2026 dates
Seven matches, including a quarterfinal, will be staged at Gillette Stadium:
- June 13, 2026 – Match 5 (Group stage)
- June 16, 2026 – Match 18 (Group stage)
- June 19, 2026 – Match 30 (Group stage)
- June 23, 2026 – Match 45 (Group stage)
- June 26, 2026 – Match 61 (Group stage)
- June 29, 2026 – Match 74 (Round of 32)
- July 9, 2026 – Match 97 (Quarterfinal)
Fifa World Cup 2026 Tickets: What’s next in ticket sales
Phase two – the Early Ticket Draw – will run from October 27 to 31, again via a randomized process.
Phase three – the Random Selection Draw – will open after the official World Cup group draw on December 5.
Any unsold tickets will later go on a first-come, first-served basis, while FIFA has confirmed it will run an official resale platform to curb unauthorized sales.
Why it matters for betting fans
With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams across 16 host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico, ticket demand is expected to be fierce. For bettors, securing seats early is more than just about watching – it’s about getting first-hand insights into teams, players, and conditions that could influence betting odds once the tournament kicks off in June 2026.
