FIFA began the process of selling another million tickets for next year’s World Cup on Monday, opening a new ticket draw that marks the start of the tournament’s second sales phase.
This drawing, which will run until 11 a.m. Eastern Friday, includes a national exclusive schedule for residents of the three host countries: United States, Canada and Mexico. Fans from those countries, whose tickets are selected in this draw, will have the opportunity to purchase single-match tickets for matches held within their home country.
The phase is open to all fans, regardless of the country in which they live.
“We have already seen enormous interest around the world in this tournament, and especially within the host countries as Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the largest FIFA World Cup yet,” said Heimo Schirgi, the tournament’s director of operations.
“This second phase, with its nationally exclusive schedule in the host country, will allow us to say ‘thank you’ to these local fans, while ensuring a global opportunity as well.”
Those fans from the US, Canada and Mexico who enter the draw before it closes on Friday have the opportunity to receive, through what FIFA says is a random process, a time during which they can purchase tickets starting on November 12. These spaces will be broadcast until November 15. Fans who win those opportunities will be informed at least 48 hours before their schedule opens.
Residents of the three host countries (the United States, Canada and Mexico, in that order) purchased more tickets than those of any other country in the initial ticketing phase. England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and France, in that order, completed the top 10.
Excitement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is building with just 10 months to go until the big football event. Earlier today, fans had the opportunity to see the FIFA World Cup trophy in person in Vancouver, while it was on display at Jack Poole Plaza. CBC News stopped to chat with fans who had lined up to see the trophy.
People from 212 countries have bought tickets.
Once the national exclusivity schedule ends, more fans will be able to get a purchase slot starting November 17. Additional tickets will be available in later phases, FIFA said.
FIFA announced earlier this month that more than one million tickets for next year’s World Cup have already been sold, with people from 212 different countries and territories purchasing them. So far, 28 of the 48 team spots on the field have been filled.
The start of ticket sales doesn’t mean there are unique questions for consumers heading into the tournament, particularly about how they will obtain visas, if necessary, to visit the U.S. as the country cracks down on immigration.
An international friendly match between defending World Cup champion Argentina, featuring Lionel Messi, and Puerto Rico was moved from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, due to delayed ticket sales that some believe was in response to the immigration crackdown.
According to stadium attendance figures, approximately 7.1 million seats remain to be filled for the tournament’s 104 games at 16 North American venues. It is unknown how many of those seats will be available for sale to the public.
Ticket data has shown that the lowest-priced seats, set at $60, were available for at least 40 games. Almost all tickets for most matches were set at a much higher price. The U.S. opener, to be played in Inglewood, California, had prices ranging from $560 to $2,735 when sales opened. On the resale site, at least one ticket for the opening game in the United States on June 12 was listed for more than $60,000 earlier this month.
Fans with the option to purchase could choose seats in one of four categories; Category 1 is what FIFA officials call the best seats; Category 4 is somewhere around the top of the stadiums. Ticket costs are expected to fluctuate as football’s biggest event uses dynamic pricing for the first time.
