How to Apply for FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets: Step-by-Step Guide (Official Process)

Whenever the world's biggest sporting event is discussed, FIFA is the first name that comes to mind. This sporting event takes place every four years, with millions of fans attending live and billions more watching on television. This time, the tournament has become even bigger, with 48 teams participating instead of 24, meaning 24 new countries are joining the competition. This means not only is the game itself bigger, but the excitement has also doubled. It will be hosted across major cities in North America, in the US, Canada, and Mexico. People from all over the world will be traveling to these venues to experience the real atmosphere of football, and therefore, the demand for tickets is in the millions. The pre-demand is so high that it's unprecedented on the planet. So, if you're planning to witness this live sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2026, this complete guide on how to get FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets is for you. Reading this will solve all your ticket booking problems.

Quick Answer: To put it simply, ticket sales for events start well in advance. It's currently January, so you'll now get tickets through a random selection draw. To participate, you need to submit an application on the official FIFA ticket website. There's no first-come, first-served system; you just need to apply before the deadline.

In today's guide, we will discuss in detail how to apply for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, the ticket allocation process, and most importantly, the payment rules for FIFA tickets. We will explain everything clearly and simply so that you don't face rejection at this crucial stage due to any mistakes.

Critical Dates & Deadlines: Don't Miss Out

If you want to get tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026, it's crucial to follow FIFA's official timeline. Right now, there's only one date you need to remember if you want tickets: January 13, 2026. If you miss this date, getting tickets will become extremely difficult; you'll essentially be caught in a crowd where tickets are only available through sheer luck. Therefore, this is your best chance to avoid this stressful situation and secure your ticket. A simple table is provided below, listing all the important dates related to the FIFA 2026 ticket application deadline.

Phase	Status	Key Dates
Random Selection Draw	OPEN	Closes on January 13, 2026 (11:00 CET)
Notification of Results	Upcoming	Expected by Mid-February 2026
Payment Phase	Upcoming	Starts immediately after results notification
First Come First Served	TBD	Will be announced after the draw concludes

Note: Note this one thing: if you miss the FIFA ticket lottery 2026 registration step during this phase, you will have no other option but to try during the first-come, first-served phase. And consider your chances of getting tickets in that phase to be virtually zero, because the tickets sell out in seconds.

Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start

Now, it's clear that we need to follow the official timeline. The next most important thing is what preparations you need to make before starting all this. This is to avoid any problems later, because booking FIFA tickets is no less challenging than a fastest-finger-first competition. When you enter the portal, it's crucial to be pre-planned, because one mistake can lead to an error or disqualification, and someone else could snatch the tickets in those crucial seconds.

1. Official FIFA verified website account: Guest login is not possible. You need to create a proper, valid account on the official FIFA website. This account must be verified, and your profile must be 100% complete. If you don't have one, register your FIFA account today.
2. Passport/ID and genuine details: The account must be in the name of the person whose valid details are provided. Details of any guests who will be accompanying you can be added later, but it's better to enter and verify all details beforehand.
3. Correct payment method (no mistakes accepted): FIFA has strict sponsorship rules, and according to them, a VISA card is mandatory for payment. Therefore, please have your VISA card ready at the time of payment. Payment is only required after the payment result is confirmed, so you have time to arrange one if you don't already have it.
4. Basic travel plan idea: The tournament is taking place on both the East and West Coasts, so you need to plan which location you want to attend. After deciding on the coast, you also need to decide which venue/city you want to attend. Without planning, you might book your tickets, but your travel and accommodation budget could get out of control. Therefore, plan everything first before proceeding with ticket booking.