With global anticipation building ahead of the Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ on 5 December, FIFA has announced that nearly two million tickets have already been sold across the first two ticket-sales phases, marking unprecedented global demand for the expanded tournament.
According to FIFA, fans from more than 200 countries and territories have secured their seats, with the highest number of purchases coming from residents of the three host nations — the United States, Canada and Mexico — followed by supporters in England, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Argentina and France.
Third Phase of Ticket Sales Begins 11 December
FIFA confirmed that the Random Selection Draw, which marks the third phase of ticket sales, will open at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET) on 11 December and run until 13 January. This will be the first time fans can apply for single-match tickets based on confirmed matchups and teams for the group stage, following the release of the full match schedule shortly after the Final Draw.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino congratulated early ticket buyers and encouraged others to seize the new opportunity.
“Congratulations to everyone who has already booked their seats. For those who haven’t, a new opportunity begins on Thursday, 11 December,” he said.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi added that interest is rising as 42 teams have already qualified.
“With the opening match in Mexico City kicking off in fewer than 200 days, we are ready and excited to welcome fans to North America next year for the biggest FIFA World Cup yet.”
How Fans Can Apply
Fans will be able to enter the Random Selection Draw through FIFA.com/tickets, where they can select matches, ticket categories and the number of tickets per game. FIFA emphasised that the timing of entry within the window does not affect the chances of success.
Successful and partially successful applicants will be notified via email, with automatic payment processing slated for February 2026.
Fans supporting a particular national team may also apply for Participating Member Association (PMA) tickets, provided they meet eligibility criteria set by their national federations.
Hospitality and Future Sales Options
Supporters seeking guaranteed access to premium match-ups may also purchase hospitality packages, which remain available at FIFA.com/hospitality through On Location, the tournament’s official hospitality provider.
FIFA noted that any remaining tickets closer to the tournament may be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are strongly advised to buy only from official FIFA platforms, as third-party sellers may issue invalid tickets.
Visa Requirements and Travel Advisory
FIFA reminded ticket holders that a match ticket does not guarantee entry into the United States, Canada or Mexico. Fans are urged to check visa requirements early and apply on time. Ticket holders travelling to the U.S. may benefit from the newly introduced FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS).
A Global Countdown Begins
With demand surging and the full match calendar soon to be unveiled, the road to the biggest FIFA World Cup in history is accelerating rapidly. Fans seeking participation in the next ticket phase are encouraged to review FAQs and terms at FIFA.com/tickets before the application period opens.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States in what promises to be the largest and most geographically diverse tournament ever staged.
