The main ballot to secure tickets to next year’s men’s World Cup has opened today.
It is the first chance fans have to nab tickets since last week’s World Cup draw, which determined the group stages and nearly the full list of matchups, venues and times.
FIFA says nearly two million tickets have already been snapped up through its first two phases of ticket release, but individuals did not have the benefit of knowing which teams would be playing at each site and at what time.
Everything to know about World Cup 2026
Today’s ballot will not guarantee tickets to the tournament – which is set to be the biggest in history – only that you are in the running to get your hands on some. Here’s all you need to know.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates with the trophy in 2022.
Pic: Reuters
How will the ballot work?
The application for the third phase of ticket release, known as the random selection draw, opened at 4pm UK time on 11 December.
Here, fans will be able to submit applications for tickets to specific matches.
Individuals will only be able to buy four tickets per-match and a total of 40 tickets for the entire tournament per-household.
The application window will remain open until January 13, 2026. There is no advantage to applying early – all fixtures remain available throughout the entire period.
Those wanting tickets will need to have a FIFA ID in advance, which can be created via FIFA.com/tickets.
Once the window closes, FIFA will run a lottery to decide which applications are successful.
The World Cup draw confirmed the group stages. Pic: AP
The lucky fans will be notified by email in February and, if they have been allocated tickets, will be charged automatically.
How much will tickets cost?
FIFA is yet to confirm the final prices of tickets.
The body previously said tickets will start from $60 (£45) in the group stage, with the most expensive tickets for the final reaching highs of $6,730 (£5,094).
If true, it will unsurprisingly be way up from the range of $25 (£19) to $475 (£353) – the costs last time the US hosted the tournament in 1994.
For the 2022 tournament in Qatar, tickets cost the US dollar equivalent of $69 to $1,607.
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Prices for hospitality tickets are believed to be considerably more, ranging from $3,500 (£2,604) to $73,200 (£54,467) per person.
As of 10 December, group stage matches involving Mexico cost more than $2,600 (£1,942) to get inside, Sky News’ US partner network, NBC, reported, citing StubHub listings, while American and Canadian baseline prices were hovering around $1,100 (£821).
The Football Supporters’ Association’s embassy for England fans said supporters who are allocated category 3 tickets, which they say is one of the cheapest options, will have to pay an estimated $4,700 (£3,510) to attend all matches should England reach the final.
It adds for those having to apply for category 1 tickets, this would increase to more than $12,000 (£8,965).
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How about dynamic pricing?
Initially, FIFA suggested tickets would be sold using dynamic pricing, meaning fans would pay different prices according to demand.
Variable pricing had never been used at a World Cup before, raising concerns about affordability.
FIFA has now backed away from it, saying allocations would be set at a fixed price for the duration of the next ticket sales phase.
The world football’s governing body said in a statement to Sky News: “FIFA can confirm ringfenced allocations are being set aside for specific fan categories, as has been the case at previous FIFA World Cups. These allocations will be set at a fixed price for the duration of the next ticket sales phase.
“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.”
England qualified for the World Cup in October. Pic: Reuters
Are there other ways to get tickets?
FA allocation
Each nation in the World Cup expects to receive 8% of the tickets for its matches to sell to its own supporters.
For England and Scotland, these will be made available to members of the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) and the Scotland Supporters Club (SSC).
Both the ESTC and SSC ran their own registration of interest before individuals apply for tickets. This registration window closed for both clubs on 10 December at 11.59pm UK time.
Fans will receive an email with an access code for the official FIFA portal, where they can apply for tickets from 15 December to 13 January.
Scotland fans celebrate after qualifying for World Cup. Pic:PA
Resale marketplace
FIFA has also created its own online marketplace where fans can resell tickets bought through other phases of the ticketing process.
It says the resale marketplace is available to Canadian, American and international residents, while the FIFA Exchange Marketplace is intended for residents of Mexico.
FIFA has also issued a warning to fans to be “wary” of unofficial websites purportedly selling tickets that aren’t yet on the market, after Sky News discovered tickets already being sold for eye-watering prices by the platform Vivid Seats.
First-come first-served
Fans may be able to buy remaining tickets on a first-come first-served basis closer to the tournament, FIFA says.
This is based on availability.
What about visas?
For those outside the US, Canada or Mexico, securing tickets is not enough to guarantee you will be at World Cup games.
People travelling to the US or Canada will need to secure visas in order to make it to the tournament. Most tourists do not need a visa to travel to Mexico.
For example, if travelling from the UK to America, Britons will need an ESTA for visits under 90 days, or a B-2 visa for longer stays.
Donald Trump holds the World Cup trophy in August. Pic: Reuters
From the UK to Canada, Britons will typically need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which allows visits for up to six months.
FIFA has warned that any ticket holder who fails to obtain the necessary visa or travel authorisation, or is denied entry due to non-compliance with any requirements, will not be entitled to any form of compensation.
Donald Trump announced in November that those who need visas to attend the World Cup will be able to go through a “FIFA portal” to help get their visa application and interview prioritised at the State Department.
This will be known as the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System, or FIFA PASS.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration had added 400 consular officers around the world to deal with increased demand for visas, with individuals still having to go through the same vetting, but will “move up the queue” in order to get correct travel documents in place on time for the tournament.
Despite the new system, Mr Trump said he “strongly” encourages World Cup travellers to the US to apply for their visas “right away”.
