FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Presale: What fans need to know about the North America launch

The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is officially heating up. For the first time since 1994, the biggest tournament in soccer is heading to North America, with games hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. That means millions of fans will be vying for a golden ticket to one of the 104 matches. And now, the process to secure those seats is kicking off.

Here’s your full breakdown of how to get into the ticket presale, what hoops you’ll need to jump through, and why this year’s process looks slightly different.

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When does the presale start?

Fans can officially register for the presale drawing on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m. Eastern. This registration window is open until Friday, Sept. 19. After it closes, FIFA will use a randomized draw to decide who gets the coveted chance to buy tickets.

But don’t confuse entering the draw with winning tickets outright; this only gives you the chance to purchase them.

The Visa-only catch

There’s one important condition: the presale is only open to Visa cardholders. FIFA has long partnered with Visa, but this year the requirements are stricter. To participate, your Visa card, whether debit, credit, or prepaid, must be unexpired and enabled with 3D Secure. If you don’t currently have a qualifying Visa card, this could be a dealbreaker for the presale.

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How to register for the FIFA presale

1. Check your card: Make sure your Visa qualifies.
2. Create a FIFA ID: Head to FIFA.com/tickets and sign up.
3. Enter the draw: Once your FIFA ID is ready, log in and officially register.

From there, it’s all about the waiting game. On Monday, Sept. 29, FIFA will notify successful applicants by email, assigning them a specific purchase window. Ticket sales start Wednesday, Oct. 1. 

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Pro tip: Getting a timeslot doesn’t guarantee tickets. Popular matches, especially knockout rounds, and host-nation games, will sell out fast.

What if you don’t get picked?

Don’t panic! There are multiple phases.

• Phase Two: Early Ticket Draw (Oct. 27–31). Winners get timeslots between mid-November and early December.
• Phase Three: Random Selection Draw (after Dec. 5). Once the official draw reveals the full World Cup schedule, another lottery will open.

Closer to the tournament, FIFA will launch a resale marketplace, allowing fans to buy and sell verified tickets safely.

Ticket rules you need to know

• A maximum of four tickets per person per match.
• No more than 40 tickets total across the tournament.
• Sales will use dynamic pricing, meaning prices may rise based on demand.

How much do FIFA tickets cost?

Brace yourself: the price tag is higher than ever.

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• Group stage matches: starting at $60.
• Final match: up to $6,730.

For comparison, according to CBS, back in 1994 in the U.S., tickets ranged from $25 to $475. In Qatar 2022, they cost roughly $69 to $1,607. This year, FIFA is embracing fluctuating market-based pricing, so costs could climb quickly for high-demand matches.

So, if you’ve been dreaming of seeing the World Cup live, now’s the time to prepare. Check your Visa card, create that FIFA ID, and set your alarms. The tournament may be a year away, but with more matches, more stadiums, and more fans than ever, this ticket chase will be a battle in its own right.