The world football governing body, FIFA, has announced that ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will officially commence on September 10, 2025.
The tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States, will see ticket sales rolled out in multiple phases.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, FIFA called on fans across the globe to register their interest on its official website ahead of the sales launch.
”We’re looking forward to welcoming the world back to North America, as Canada, Mexico, and the United States host what will be the biggest and greatest sporting event ever,” said FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
“These will be the most coveted seats in world sport, and we encourage fans everywhere to be ready to secure their place,” he added.
While details of the sales phases are yet to be fully disclosed, FIFA said that from September 10, pre-registered fans will have their first opportunity to apply for tickets. The ticketing process will span from that date through to the final match on July 19, 2026.
Each phase will feature different purchase methods, payment options, and ticket categories, with FIFA promising to provide detailed guidelines in the coming months.
The expanded 48-team tournament will begin in Mexico City on June 11 and conclude at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, 2026. Canada and Mexico will host 13 matches each, while the United States will stage the remaining 78 games, including all matches from the quarterfinals onward.
The recent FIFA Club World Cup, held in the US as a precursor to the main event, witnessed mixed reactions.
While the final between Chelsea and PSG drew a sold-out crowd of over 81,000 fans, other matches suffered from low attendance and sweltering midday heat.
Nevertheless, the tournament was hailed a “rousing success” by FIFA.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump’s presence at the final, and his hosting of Juventus at the White House during the group stage, has sparked political interest in the games. However, his recent immigration policies, including travel bans affecting 19 countries such as Iran, have raised concerns about fan accessibility.
Despite football traditionally playing second fiddle to sports like American football, baseball, and basketball in the US, interest in the sport continues to grow—boosted in part by Lionel Messi’s high-profile move to Inter Miami in 2023.
The last World Cup, hosted by Qatar in 2022, saw Argentina lift the trophy, marking their third global triumph and solidifying Messi’s legacy as one of football’s all-time greats.