With just 50 days until the biggest FIFA World Cup in history kicks off, FIFA has released a new batch of tickets for all 104 matches, available to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis.
As FIFA officially announced on Wednesday, April 22, new ticket inventory for every single match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 went on sale to the general public via FIFA.com/tickets at 11:00 ET. The release coincides with the 50-day countdown to the tournament, which will be held across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Tickets are available in categories 1 through 3, as well as front-row seat options, depending on the match. Fans can either choose their own seats using the interactive seat map or let the system do the work with the “Book the best seat” feature.
How to Buy – And What to Expect
This release is part of the ongoing Last-Minute Sales Phase, which will continue until the final on Sunday, July 19. That means even if you miss this drop, more tickets will keep becoming available throughout the tournament – subject to availability.
Due to high demand, FIFA is warning fans to expect digital queues when accessing the site. Those queues were very real on Wednesday – and the determined fans who pushed through them know exactly what that means.
Daniel Pedisich, a Croatian fan based in New York, secured seven tickets for the Croatia vs. Ghana match after a grueling hours-long effort. “I’ve been at this since 10 in the morning – I feel like I’ve been through a war. A real circus. I worked across four computers, three here in New York and one back in Croatia with remote access. The one in Croatia was the first to succeed, around 3:15. The New York machine worked about 40 minutes later. I’m still waiting in the queue on the last two – I’m hoping to grab eight more for friends if I can.”
He also noted around 4 PM EST on April 22nd that matches in Toronto and Dallas are already sold out, while Philadelphia still has availability. Ticket prices ranged from $400 to $1,200.
Another Croatian living in New York had better luck — but only because she got in early. She secured four tickets per game through the lottery system back in September at around $325 each. “The lottery was hands down the cheapest and most affordable option. The soccer gods blessed me on my birthday.” But even registering for the lottery meant waiting four hours in a queue after FIFA’s servers crashed under the weight of demand, she said.
Her cousin’s attempts to buy tickets in later phases were far more painful – hours-long queues, 404 errors, and one particularly brutal moment where she waited three hours only to discover she had been sent to the wrong queue entirely due to a broken link circulating on social media. She had to start over and wait another nine hours, only to find Croatia tickets sold out except for a few Category 4 seats at $1,600 each. “FIFA isn’t lowering prices. They expect people to sell their houses for a Round of 16 ticket,” the fan said.
Getting There Won’t Be Cheap Either
The costs don’t end with the ticket. “Did you see the $150 fee to get to MetLife Stadium from NYC? The NJ train is $75 each way — it’s like, welcome, pay up!” said our Croatian source in New York, adding that a ferry service may be introduced as an alternative.
Fan zones haven’t gone smoothly either. “I signed up for the FIFA fan zone in the park in New Jersey facing the city, $15, and then they cancelled it a month ago. I’ve been to the Euros and previous World Cups and it’s always been free.” FIFA cited lack of funding and promised smaller events across New Jersey, with activations planned at Rockefeller Center and in Queens, though she’s skeptical. “Watch, it will be so packed they won’t have capacity. NYC is not ready.”
Philadelphia, she says, is a different story. “The only city that has their act together is Philly. I saw their event space, huge area in the main square, free transportation to games, strong sponsors and the mayor and governor are actually running it well. I have a feeling Philly will be the most successful.”
FIFA is reminding fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the only official source for World Cup tickets, and strongly advises against buying from unauthorized resellers. For those who already hold tickets they can no longer use, there is also an official Resale/Exchange Marketplace on the same platform — a secure, authorized way to transfer tickets to other fans.
HNS: 368,000 Ticket Requests for Croatia – But the Draw Is Done
We reached out to the Croatian Football Federation (HNS), whose response was blunt: for most Croatian fans, it’s too late. “There is not much to say at this stage – tickets were purchased long ago. Interest was exceptional, with a total of 368,000 ticket requests for Croatia’s matches.”
For those who missed out, HNS pointed to FIFA’s resale platform as the only remaining option – but warned not to expect bargains. “Prices are extremely expensive right now. This is the first time FIFA has introduced the American model of fluctuating ticket prices — something we can neither predict nor influence,” HNS said on April 17th.
Premium Options Still Available
Fans looking for a more elevated matchday experience can also purchase hospitality packages through On Location, FIFA’s Official Hospitality Provider, at FIFA.com/hospitality. These packages include match tickets along with premium seating, food and beverage, and additional services.
A Record-Breaking Tournament
More than five million tickets have already been sold for this edition, with FIFA on course to surpass the all-time cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million set at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. This year’s tournament features 48 teams competing over 39 days — the largest edition in the history of the competition.
Fans traveling to the host countries are reminded to check visa and entry requirements in advance. Those attending matches in the United States can apply for expedited visa appointments through the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS).
Cover photo: Canva.
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