By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
The first ticketing phase for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has opened, with fans able to enter a ballot for the chance to secure seats at football’s largest tournament.
The initial stage, known as the Visa Presale Draw, is accessible via FIFA.com/tickets and runs from 10 September to 19 September. Eligible Visa cardholders can submit applications during this period. Successful applicants, chosen through a randomised draw, will be notified from 29 September and allocated time slots from 1 October to purchase tickets.
Ticket prices begin at about R1,000 for group-stage matches, while the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is expected to cost up to R117,800. FIFA has confirmed that this World Cup will adopt dynamic pricing for the first time, meaning prices may fluctuate depending on demand.
Heimo Schirgi, FIFA’s chief operating officer for the 2026 tournament, urged supporters to act swiftly. “The message is get your tickets early,” he said, noting that those living in host cities or following the three host nations will have an advantage in planning.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained that dynamic pricing aims to keep stadiums full. “Prices can go up or down. For us, the important element is to give opportunities to people to come,” he said.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be the largest in World Cup history, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 cities. Host nations will play all their group-stage fixtures on home soil. The competition begins on 11 June and concludes on 19 July, with the final staged at MetLife Stadium.
Fans can apply for up to four tickets per match and a maximum of 40 tickets for the entire tournament. Additional sales phases will follow later this year, including an early ticket draw in late October and a random selection process after the final team draw in December.
Hospitality packages, which include match tickets, have been available since May and range from around R61,300 to R1.28 million per person for fixtures at MetLife Stadium. FIFA also plans to launch an official resale platform to combat unauthorised ticket sales.
Three sales phases are confirmed:
Phase one: Visa Presale, open now until 19 September.
Phase two: Early Ticket Draw, running 27–31 October, with purchases from mid-November.
Phase three: Random Selection Draw after the 5 December team draw, followed by a first-come, first-served sale.
More information, including full pricing details and official guidelines, is available on FIFA.com.