March 26 – FIFA has confirmed it will open the final phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup on April 1, with remaining tickets made available on a first-come, first-served basis through to the end of the tournament.
The governing body said more than one million tickets were sold during the previous sales window, which closed in February, underlining what it continues to describe as “unprecedented” demand for the expanded 48-team competition across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The final sales phase will allow fans to select specific seats, while those who have already purchased tickets will be able to view their allocations from April 1 via their FIFA accounts. A resale platform will also reopen on April 2, giving ticket holders an official route to return seats.
The governing body said tickets will continue to be released on a rolling basis, including limited same-day availability for certain matches.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier claimed demand equated to “1,000 years of World Cups at once”, with the organisation expecting all 104 matches to sell out.
That is, of course, if said fans are able to get into the U.S. According to reports, supporters from several countries participating in the World Cup will have to deposit up to $15,000 before entering the United States. What’s more, players may also not be exempt from this.
The latest release comes against a backdrop of mounting criticism over pricing. Initial general sale tickets ranged from around $140 for group-stage matches to as much as $8,680 for the final, prompting backlash from just about every angle.
Football Supporters Europe has formally complained to the European Commission, citing “exorbitant” prices and the introduction of dynamic pricing – a first for a World Cup – which could see costs rise further depending on demand.
Despite that, FIFA is still fixated on the ‘record breaking’ attendance records, with the 3.5 million benchmark set at the 1994 edition expected to be surpassed.
With under three months to go, the final ticket window represents the last opportunity for fans to secure access to what FIFA continues to market as the biggest World Cup in history.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]