The Seriously Smarter Way to World Cup 2026
Partners:
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUYING 2026 WORLD CUP TICKETS
Insider tips on scoring the seats of your dreams
Attending a World Cup match is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it also represents a substantial commitment. At 90’+ it’s our mission to help you make the most informed purchase decision possible, even if it means not selling you a ticket at all. We’ll be continuing to update this resource in the months leading up to the tournament, so be sure to bookmark it and come back whenever you have a question.
A Word About Us
The ticket buying process for the 2026 World Cup is complex, which means it's critical that you can trust your purchase platform. That's why we offer a 120% guarantee, 24/7 live customer service and a library of resources to help you decide exactly which tickets are best for you. If you'd like to go deeper, visit our About Us section and follow us on Instagram
2026 World Cup Ticket Fast Facts
Ticket Volume
≈2 million tickets have been released so far, with another ≈1M in the current lottery. Premium hospitality bundles represent another ≈1M, as do federation allotments. ≈2M tickets are reserved for sale in late spring / early summer.
Match Information
42 of the 48 team qualification slots have been filled, with the remaining six slots reserved for winners of the March playoffs. Given the geographic sprawl, each Group will play their games in one of three geographic regions.
Ticket Categories
With individual seat assignments not being allotted by FIFA until closer to the tournament, tickets are currently being lumped into four categories. Cat 1 tickets represent the best seats, while Cat 4 are the most affordable.
Important Ticket Release Dates
1
Dec 11th, 2025
Random Selection Draw Open
Customers can currently apply to FIFAs third and final ticket lottery, which has put ≈1 million more tickets into circulation
2
Jan 13th, 2026
Random Selection Draw Closed
If you haven’t submitted an application by this time, you’ll need to canvas secondary marketplaces or wait for FIFA to release their final batch of tickets in late spring / early summer
3
Feb 2026
Lottery Results Announced
Based on the timing in 2022, winners of the Random Selection Draw should learn if they have purchased tickets within a month of the draw closing, so we’re penciling in mid-February.
4
May 2026
Last Minute Sales Phase Open
About a month ahead of the first match FIFA will release the last tranche of tickets, only this time on a first-come first-serve basis rather than via lottery.
How to Buy 2026 World Cup Tickets
FIFA Lotteries
FIFA’s current and final lottery closes on January 13th at 11a ET. If you want to enter for a chance to purchase tickets, you’ll need to create a FIFA ID, submit a detailed application outlining the matches you’re applying for and provide a verified payment method. FIFA is alloting a maximum of 4 tickets to a single match per household, and no more than 40 tickets per household across the entire tournament.
Hospitality
Premium ticketing “experiences” run from thousands of dollars up to six figures. Each stadium’s unique VIP areas have been standardized into one of experience levels, which can include premium gifts, specialized menus, parking and celeb cameos. Anyone going full-on corporate can also opt for a private suite, private travel arrangements and other white glove services.
FIFA Resale / Exchange Marketplace
By eliminating price caps and charging transaction fees, FIFA has essentially created its own secondary marketplace. All tickets sold on FIFA’s marketplace are guaranteed to be authentic, but tickets have tended to be more expensive than on other secondary marketplaces. Sellers also nmust list and de-list their offerings manually, which means that inventory may lag behind other trusted ticketing sites.
Secondary Markets
When deciding which platform to purchase from, consider inventory levels, customer support offerings and money back guarantees. All World Cup tickets will be delivered through the official FIFA app regardless of where they're purchased, reducing the likelihood of fraud. Reputable platforms offer full guarantees and dedicated customer support to help resolve issues well ahead of game day.
Deciding What Ticket Platform Is Right For You
Buy through the lottery if…
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Buy through a hospitality channel if…
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Buy through the FIFA resale marketplace if...
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Buy through a secondary ticketing platform if…
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Buy through the FIFA resale marketplace if...
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Ticketing FAQs
The obvious reality is that there’s no objectively “right” way to secure a ticket to the 2026 World Cup. But that doesn’t mean we can’t help you figure out where to start depending on your goals
Should I submit an application for the "RSD" (Random Selection Draw) lottery?
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What are my odds of winning the RSD lottery?
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Does it matter when I apply for the RSD lottery?
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Can I enter the RSD lottery multiple times?
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If I win the RSD lottery, am I guaranteed all of the tickets I asked for?
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Buy through the FIFA resale marketplace if...
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Can I apply for the RSD lottery while also buying tickets on secondary markets?