World Cup 2026 Tickets: How to Apply, New $60 Entry Tier, and What Fans Need to Know

How the World Cup 2026 Ticket Ballot Works

The anticipation around the 2026 FIFA World Cup is tangible, and so is the scramble for tickets. The main ballot for next year’s tournament—set to be the largest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches—is now open, as Sky News reports. Since the draw revealed the matchups and venues, nearly two million tickets have already been claimed in earlier phases, but this is the first time fans can apply knowing which teams will play at which stadium and when.

The current application phase, known as the ‘random selection draw’, began on December 11, 2025, and will run until January 13, 2026. This isn’t a race—the timing of your application doesn’t improve your chances. Every fixture remains available during the whole window, and every applicant is placed into a lottery. Each household can apply for up to four tickets per match and a total of 40 tickets for the tournament. To apply, fans must first register for a FIFA ID at FIFA’s official ticket portal.

Once the ballot closes, FIFA will randomly select successful applicants, who will be notified by email in February. If chosen, payment is automatically processed. However, being selected for a ticket does not guarantee entry to the stadium—visa and travel requirements add another layer of complexity.

Ticket Prices: The $60 Entry Tier and the Realities of Affordability

After a wave of backlash over soaring prices, FIFA announced on December 16 a new $60 (‘Supporter Entry Tier’) ticket for each match, including the final. This was a direct response to criticism from supporters and organizations like Football Supporters Europe (FSE), who had described the original pricing as ‘extortionate’ and a ‘monumental betrayal’, according to The Guardian and BBC Sport.

For context, tickets for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar ranged from $69 to $1,607. The initial pricing for 2026 saw group stage matches for teams like Mexico, the US, and Canada listed at $1,100 to $2,600, with the final’s cheapest ticket exceeding £3,000 (about $3,800)—seven times higher than the previous tournament. Hospitality packages soared as high as $73,200 per person. Such prices sparked anger and disappointment among fans, with many feeling priced out of attending the sport’s biggest spectacle.

The $60 tickets are a step towards inclusivity, but there’s a catch. They constitute only 10% of each participating nation’s 8% allocation, meaning these entry-tier tickets make up roughly 1.6% of the total available. For England’s group games, this translates to about 400-500 affordable tickets per match, out of an allocation of roughly 4,500. Most tickets remain in higher price bands, and no concessions exist for children or other groups. The entry-tier tickets are distributed via national football associations, who set their own criteria for loyal fans, but specifics are scarce.

Critics, including FSA chair Tom Greatrex, have called the move a ‘hollow gesture’, arguing it’s more about deflecting criticism than solving the affordability crisis. Football Supporters Europe welcomed the acknowledgment of fan concerns but stressed the changes were insufficient and urged FIFA to engage in deeper dialogue, especially regarding disabled supporters, who have yet to see a revised pricing structure.

How to Get Tickets: Ballot, Fan Clubs, and Resale Markets

For most fans, the ballot is the main route. But national associations also receive 8% of tickets for their own supporters—distributed through fan clubs like the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) and Scotland Supporters Club (SSC). Registration for these allocations closed on December 10, with access codes for FIFA’s portal sent to eligible fans starting December 15.

FIFA has also launched an official resale marketplace, where tickets can be transferred legally between fans. This is available internationally, with a dedicated exchange for Mexican residents. FIFA warns supporters to avoid unofficial resale sites, which have already advertised tickets at astronomical prices well before official sales begin.

As the tournament approaches, leftover tickets may be sold on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a final chance for fans who missed the ballot or club allocations.

Travel, Visas, and the FIFA PASS System

Securing a ticket is only half the journey, especially for international fans. Entry into the US or Canada requires visas—an ESTA or B-2 for the US, ETA for Canada—while most tourists to Mexico don’t need a visa. In November, Donald Trump announced the FIFA Prioritised Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), designed to expedite visa interviews for ticket holders at US embassies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed an additional 400 consular officers worldwide to cope with the expected surge. Still, fans are urged to apply for travel documents immediately, as missing requirements means forfeiting the ticket with no compensation.

Economic Impact and FIFA’s Financial Windfall

Behind the scenes, the World Cup’s economic story is complex. Hosting the tournament injects millions of visitors and revenue into host cities, but studies indicate the benefits are often short-lived and mainly benefit hospitality and retail sectors. Stadium and infrastructure costs frequently outweigh gains. FIFA, however, stands to make record revenues—projected at $13bn for 2022-2026, a sharp rise from previous cycles—thanks largely to the expanded tournament and increased ticket sales, as reported by The Guardian.

Additionally, FIFA announced a 50% increase in prize money: the 2026 champions will receive $50m, while qualifying nations share a pool of $655m. Yet, for the everyday fan, the core issue remains: affordable access to the world’s biggest football event.

Despite FIFA’s attempt to address affordability with the $60 ticket, the reality is that most fans will still face high costs and competitive hurdles. The limited availability of entry-tier tickets, lack of concessions for children and disabled supporters, and complex travel requirements mean attending the 2026 World Cup remains a privilege for the few, not the many. Until FIFA implements broader reforms, the dream of seeing football’s greatest stage in person is out of reach for most global supporters.