The main ballot opens today as nearly two million tickets have already sold for the biggest tournament in history
Soccer fans around the globe have been waiting for this moment. The main ballot to secure tickets for the 2026 men’s World Cup opens today at 4 pm UK time, giving supporters their first real shot at seats since last week’s tournament draw revealed the group stages and matchups.
Nearly two million tickets have already been claimed through FIFA‘s first two phases of ticket release, but those early buyers didn’t know which teams would play at each venue or when matches would kick off. Now with the draw complete, the race for remaining seats is heating up.
The tournament promises to be the biggest in World Cup history, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. For fans hoping to witness the action in person, here are seven crucial details to know before jumping into the ballot.
1. The ballot doesn’t guarantee tickets
Applying today doesn’t mean automatic entry to any match. This third phase operates as a random selection draw, meaning FIFA will run a lottery after the application window closes. Fans submit their requests for specific matches, then wait to see if luck falls their way.
The application window stays open until Jan. 13, 2026, and there’s no advantage to applying early. All fixtures remain available throughout the entire period, so fans can take their time deciding which matches to request.
2. Ticket limits apply per household
FIFA has set clear boundaries on purchases. Individuals can buy a maximum of four tickets per match and 40 tickets total for the entire tournament per household. Anyone wanting tickets needs a FIFA ID in advance, which can be created through FIFA.com/tickets.
Lucky applicants will receive email notifications in February, and if they’ve been allocated tickets, charges will process automatically.
3. Prices range from affordable to astronomical
FIFA hasn’t confirmed final ticket prices yet, but previous announcements suggested tickets will start from $60 for group stage matches. The most expensive seats for the final could reach $6,730, a dramatic increase from the $25 to $475 range when the US last hosted in 1994.
For comparison, tickets at the 2022 Qatar tournament cost between $69 and $1,607. Hospitality packages carry even steeper price tags, reportedly ranging from $3,500 to $73,200 per person.
4. Following your team gets expensive quickly
The Football Supporters’ Association calculated that England fans with category three tickets would need approximately $4,700 to attend all matches if their team reaches the final. Category one tickets would push that total above $12,000.
Recent StubHub listings showed group stage matches involving Mexico priced over $2,600, while baseline prices for American and Canadian matches hovered around $1,100.
5. Dynamic pricing is off the table
FIFA initially planned to use dynamic pricing, where ticket costs would fluctuate based on demand. This approach had never been used at a World Cup before and raised concerns about affordability among fan groups.
The organization has since backed away from that model, confirming that ringfenced allocations will be set at fixed prices for the duration of this ticket sales phase.
6. National federations get their own allocation
Each competing nation receives eight percent of tickets for its matches to distribute among supporters. England and Scotland will make their allocations available to members of the England Supporters Travel Club and Scotland Supporters Club respectively.
Both clubs already closed their registration windows on Dec. 10. Members will receive access codes for the official FIFA portal to apply for tickets between Dec. 15 and Jan. 13.
7. Visa requirements add another hurdle
Securing tickets is just the first step for international travelers. Those heading to the US or Canada need proper travel authorization. British visitors to America require an ESTA for stays under 90 days or a B-2 visa for longer visits. Travel to Canada typically requires an Electronic Travel Authorization.
President Donald Trump announced in November that World Cup attendees can use a FIFA portal called FIFA PASS to prioritize their visa applications and interviews at the State Department. The administration added 400 consular officers worldwide to handle increased demand, though Trump urged travelers to apply for visas immediately.
FIFA warns that ticket holders who fail to obtain necessary visas or are denied entry won’t receive any compensation.
Source: Sky News