ZURICH (BN24)— FIFA on Monday launched the second phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, opening a new draw that makes another one million tickets available for the biggest tournament in football history.
The new ticketing window includes an exclusive domestic time slot for residents of the three host nations, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, giving local fans early access to purchase single-match tickets for games played in their home countries.
The draw, which runs until 11 a.m. ET on Friday marks the start of the latest round of ticket distribution. All fans worldwide are eligible to apply, but residents of the host countries whose entries are selected will be able to buy tickets beginning November 12, with exclusive purchase windows issued through November 15. FIFA said successful applicants will receive notice at least 48 hours before their slot opens.
“This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time slot, will allow us to say ‘thank you’ to local fans, while ensuring global opportunity as well,” said Heimo Schirgi, FIFA’s chief operating officer for the 2026 World Cup. “We have already seen massive interest from around the world for this tournament, particularly within the host nations.”
According to FIFA, residents of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico led global ticket purchases during the first sales phase, followed by fans from England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France. The organization said demand remains exceptionally high ahead of what will be the largest World Cup ever, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 North American venues.
Once the domestic exclusivity window closes, additional fans will be able to secure purchasing slots beginning November 17. Further sales phases are expected in the coming months as FIFA continues to release the remaining inventory.
FIFA announced earlier in October that more than 1 million tickets have already been sold, with buyers from 212 countries and territories. So far, 28 of the 48 teams set to participate have secured qualification.
In total, the 2026 World Cup will feature roughly 7.1 million available seats, based on listed stadium capacities across North America. However, FIFA has not disclosed how many of those tickets will be publicly available for sale.
Pricing has emerged as a major talking point among fans. Entry-level tickets start at $60 for at least 40 matches, while most games are set at higher prices. The U.S. opening match in Inglewood, California, saw initial ticket prices ranging from $560 to $2,735. On resale platforms, some tickets were listed for more than $60,000 earlier this month.
For the first time, FIFA will implement dynamic pricing, meaning costs could fluctuate based on demand. Fans will be able to choose seats across four categories, with Category 1 representing premium seats closest to the pitch, and Category 4 representing the most affordable options in upper sections.
Despite high interest, questions remain about logistics for international fans, particularly regarding U.S. visa requirements amid tightening immigration rules. Recent reports have suggested that travel restrictions may influence attendance, as seen when a friendly match featuring Argentina and Lionel Messi was moved from Chicago to Florida due to slower ticket sales.
The 2026 World Cup, the first to be hosted across three countries, is expected to be the largest sporting event in history, both in scope and attendance.
