The countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026 just got a major boost, and so did your chances to snag a ticket. On Monday, Oct. 27, FIFA opens its Early Ticket Draw entry period, giving fans a second chance to land single-match tickets for one of the most anticipated tournaments in sports history.
Starting Monday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. through Friday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m., fans can enter FIFA’s official lottery through its online ticketing portal. This draw covers all 104 matches across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, from the electric opener in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca to the grand finale at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
© NurPhoto via Getty ImagesHere’s how it plays out: once the entry window closes, FIFA will randomly select applicants and notify winners with a “dedicated time slot” to purchase tickets. It’s part luck, part timing, and a whole lot of excitement.
Fans can also tailor their entries: apply for tickets following a specific national team, or secure seats at a particular venue. So whether you’re dreaming of following Team USA coast to coast or camping out in Toronto for Canada’s group-stage run, you’ve got options.
© Getty ImagesThis isn’t FIFA’s first ticket wave, but it’s a big one. It’s the third sales phase, and the second that includes single-match options. Earlier this year, FIFA launched hospitality packages in August, followed by an exclusive presale for Visa cardholders in September, which drew a jaw-dropping one million applications.
This latest lottery opens the door to fans who missed that frenzy, offering another chance before the final presale in December, right after the official World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C.
The Price of Passion
Let’s talk numbers. The cheapest ticket for the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium will cost $2,030, while premium seats soar to around $6,730. For many, those prices stung, but judging by the flood of applications, fans are still all in.
© NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFIFA has stood firm, defending its dynamic pricing model, which adjusts based on demand, a practice the organization calls “standard across major events.” The governing body insists proceeds are reinvested into football’s global growth, pointing out that 90% of its budget from 2023 through next summer goes directly back into the sport at every level, men’s, women’s, and youth.
Mark Your Calendar: Key Dates Ahead
The Early Ticket Draw runs from Oct. 27–31, with winners notified soon after. The final presale opens in December, following the group draw, and a public release of remaining tickets will follow.
Once that happens, it’s game on, and likely your last shot before seats vanish faster than a penalty in extra time.
A First Look at the 2026 Kickoff Schedule
The tournament opens Thursday, June 11, 2026, with Mexico hosting the first match at Estadio Azteca. That same day, fans can also catch Group A’s second match in Guadalajara.
Day two brings Canada’s opener in Toronto and the USA’s debut in Los Angeles, while the following days scatter matches across Boston, Dallas, Miami, Vancouver, and New York/New Jersey, creating a festival of football across North America.
With 16 venues and 104 games, this World Cup will be the largest in history, and likely the loudest. So if you’ve dreamed of being part of the world’s biggest football moment, now’s your chance. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Early Ticket Draw is your ticket (literally) to history.
© Getty ImagesGet your entry in between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31, cross your fingers, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be in the stands when the world’s best players kick off the most ambitious World Cup ever.
Because in football, and in life, the second chance can be the one that changes everything.
