If there’s one thing I’ve learned in recent years, it’s that buying tickets for the 2026 World Cup is almost a sport in itself.
The website crashes, tickets evaporate in seconds, there are scalpers selling them for 10 times the price… and there’s always that guy who left it until the last minute and ended up watching the whole thing on TV (regretful, of course).
But don’t worry, because it doesn’t have to be like this. If you dream of seeing the 2026 World Cup up close and don’t want to have to worry about securing your place at the stadium, stay with me and I’ll explain exactly how to buy tickets without the headache.
Let’s go there?
First step: how FIFA ticket sales work
Before you go desperate looking for where to buy, you need to understand how FIFA sells tickets.
Official sales take place exclusively through FIFA Ticketing (the FIFA ticket system). And it works like this:
Sales phases – Tickets are released in stages, so even if you miss the first phase, you still have a chance in the following ones.
Draw – In some phases, tickets are distributed by draw. You sign up, cross your fingers and wait for the result.
Direct sales – After the draw phase, FIFA releases the remaining tickets for direct purchase. Here it’s a “first come first served” style.
Official resale platform – If you purchased a ticket and can no longer go, you can resell it within the FIFA system, without the risk of a scam.
If you don’t go this route, be suspicious. Random website promising tickets? It’s probably a trap.
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Step by step to buy your ticket
Now that you know how FIFA sells tickets, let’s get to the point: how to secure yours.
1. Register on the FIFA website as soon as possible
The first mistake that many people make is waiting for the sale to open before registering. Don’t do that.
Access the official FIFA website, create your FIFA Ticketing account, fill in all the details and get everything ready. When the sale opens, every second counts.
2. Keep an eye on sale dates
FIFA releases sale dates in advance. Write it down on the calendar, set an alarm, ask Siri to remind you… anything but forget.
Because when tickets go on sale, God will help us.
3. When purchasing, be quick (and patient)
On the day of the sale, the FIFA website turns into a war. You enter the virtual queue and may have to wait a while.
Tips to increase your chances:
Enter the website before the official sale time.
Use good Wi-Fi or 4G/5G (no unstable internet).
If possible, try to buy via computer, which is more stable than a cell phone.
What if it crashes? Take a deep breath and don’t refresh the page. Updating can throw you to the back of the queue.
4. Choose the right ticket type for you
Not every World Cup ticket is the same. FIFA sells different types, such as:
Individual tickets – For specific games.
Team packages – If you want to follow a national team.
Stadium packages – Gives access to several games in the same stadium.
5. Did you fall into bad luck and couldn’t get a ticket? There’s still a chance!
If you didn’t succeed in the first phase, don’t worry, there’s still a way:
Resale phase – Many people buy and then give up. Keep an eye on the official FIFA platform to get tickets from resellers.
Last minute sales – Just before the World Cup, FIFA usually releases remaining tickets. It has to be fast!
Accredited agencies – Some companies are authorized to sell travel packages with tickets included. Don’t buy anywhere, research well.
How much does a 2026 World Cup ticket cost?
Now the burning question: how much will it cost?
Prices have not yet been officially released, but for the 2022 World Cup tickets ranged from US$70 (group stage games) to more than US$1,000 (final).
The tendency is for prices to increase for 2026, as the event will be in the USA, Canada and Mexico, countries with high demand for tickets.
So, if you want to go, start planning financially now.
Plan ahead and don’t take risks
If your dream is to see the 2026 World Cup live, the main tip is: organize yourself in advance.
Register on the FIFA website as soon as possible
Follow the dates and don’t miss the opening of sales
On the day of purchase, be patient and be quick
If you don’t succeed at first, try at resale or in the following stages
And, above all, don’t fall for a scam by buying tickets outside the official system. The only emotion you want in the World Cup is the game, not losing money.
Now tell me: which game do you most want to watch live?