FIFA has announced that ticket applications for the 2026 World Cup — set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada — will begin on September 10, 2025. Fans eager to attend matches are urged to pre-register on FIFA’s official website to be eligible for early access.
The announcement follows the conclusion of the FIFA Club World Cup in the US, which FIFA praised as a “rousing success.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the 2026 tournament “the biggest and greatest sporting event ever,” and encouraged fans to act quickly for what will be “the most coveted seats in world sport.”
Though specific ticketing details have not yet been released, FIFA confirmed that several ticket sales phases will occur from September 2025 until the tournament concludes on July 19, 2026, in New Jersey. Sales processes, payment options, and ticket types will vary across phases, with more information to be released in the coming months, reports Al-Jazeera.
The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, beginning on June 11 in Mexico City. Canada and Mexico will host 13 matches each, while the United States will host the majority, including all games from the quarterfinals onward.
The recent Club World Cup served as a test run for the main event. While the final, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0, drew over 81,000 fans at MetLife Stadium, some earlier matches experienced poor attendance, affected in part by extreme heat and midday scheduling.
The tournament has also drawn attention from political figures. US President Donald Trump attended the final and awarded the trophy, having earlier welcomed Italian club Juventus to the White House.
However, Trump’s immigration policies, including travel bans on 19 countries such as Iran, have raised concerns about whether international fans will be able to travel freely to attend matches.
While soccer has historically lagged behind other American sports, its popularity has surged in recent years, especially after Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Argentina claimed their third title, helped boost global enthusiasm heading into 2026.
