If you didn’t know that the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States still has the record
for most tickets sold — and don’t fully understand that the 2026 version (which is twice
as large) — will smash those records, consider this: Nearly two million tickets already
have been sold.
And that’s before the Dec. 5 draw, the unofficial beginning of a global event next
summer that will take over the region and country unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
That hyperbole aside, know this: There still is a chance for you to get tickets.
The next phase of ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – the Random Selection
Draw – will begin on Dec. 11, with the entry period for fans open until Jan. 13.
Here are all the key details, as provided by FIFA.
1. The entry period for the Random Selection Draw will open at 11 a.m. on Dec. 11
at FIFA.com. Timing of a fan’s entry into the Random Selection Draw during the
entry period will not impact the fan’s chances of success. Fans with an existing
FIFA ID should log in using those credentials and then enter the Random
Selection Draw, even if they have entered previous ticket draws. For those who
do not have an existing FIFA ID, an account must be created on FIFA.com to get
started.
2. Fans will be able to select which match(es), respective ticket category(ies) and
number of tickets per match they would like to purchase, subject to household
restrictions. All successful and partially successful ticket applicants will receive
communications via email and subsequently will be automatically charged for
their tickets in February. A partially successful application indicates that a fan will
receive the number of tickets requested to a match, but not all matches
requested.
3. With the final draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 taking place on Dec. 5, the
subsequent match schedule reveal will define the foundational group stage of the
tournament. As such, the random selection draw marks the first phase when fans
will be able to apply for single-match tickets based on exact match-ups and
teams for group-stage matches. Fans of a specific national team may also be
eligible to apply for Participating Member Association supporter tickets starting
Dec. 11, should they meet their PMA’s eligibility criteria. Each PMA sets its own criteria for fans to be recognized as PMA supporters and establishes its own
process for obtaining tickets.
4. Fans who would like to secure access to specific match-ups immediately after
the match schedule is revealed can purchase hospitality packages as well.
Hospitality packages, which are inclusive of match tickets, are available now
through On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider of the FIFA World Cup
2026.
