FIFA has announced that the ticketing process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin on September 10. The tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will follow a phased ticket release system. Fans interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register on FIFA’s official website to be eligible for the first phase of ticket applications.
Ticket sales to open in phases until final in July 2026
In its official statement, FIFA said that the process will include “several distinct ticket sales phases” between September 10, 2025, and the final match on July 19, 2026. Details about each phase, including payment methods and ticket categories, will be released gradually over the coming months.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming the world back to North America. These will be the most coveted seats in world sport.”
Tournament to begin in Mexico, end in the US
The 2026 tournament will kick off in Mexico City on June 11 and conclude in New Jersey on July 19. The event will be the largest FIFA World Cup to date, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
Canada and Mexico will host 13 games each, while the United States will host the remaining fixtures, including all knockout matches from the quarterfinals onward.
Club World Cup offers preview, but faces mixed turnout
The announcement comes just after the US hosted the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium drew over 81,000 fans, but some earlier matches saw low attendance. Hot weather, particularly during afternoon games, posed challenges for both players and spectators.
Despite these issues, FIFA described the tournament as a “rousing success,” highlighting the growing popularity of football in the US.
Immigration concerns ahead of Global fan influx
US President Donald Trump attended the Club World Cup final and hosted Italian team Juventus at the White House during their stay. However, recent immigration restrictions imposed by his administration have raised concerns about fan accessibility.
In June, the US introduced travel restrictions on citizens from 19 countries, including Iran, a nation whose team has qualified for the World Cup. These rules may affect international fans' ability to attend the event.
Subsequently, Trump’s policies are raising alarms across the tourism industry. Officially known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, the legislation introduces a $250 “visa integrity fee” for most non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, and temporary workers. The timing has sparked concern among travel and hospitality leaders, who fear the added cost and stricter immigration controls could deter international fans and undermine the economic gains expected from one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Rising interest in football across the US
Although football continues to trail behind American football, basketball, and baseball in US popularity, interest has grown significantly in recent years. This surge has been driven in part by Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami in 2023 and the increasing visibility of international competitions.
The 2026 World Cup will mark the first time the event is hosted across three nations and is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world. FIFA has urged fans to stay informed about ticketing updates through its official channels.
Ticket sales to open in phases until final in July 2026
In its official statement, FIFA said that the process will include “several distinct ticket sales phases” between September 10, 2025, and the final match on July 19, 2026. Details about each phase, including payment methods and ticket categories, will be released gradually over the coming months.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming the world back to North America. These will be the most coveted seats in world sport.”
Tournament to begin in Mexico, end in the US
The 2026 tournament will kick off in Mexico City on June 11 and conclude in New Jersey on July 19. The event will be the largest FIFA World Cup to date, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches.
Canada and Mexico will host 13 games each, while the United States will host the remaining fixtures, including all knockout matches from the quarterfinals onward.
Club World Cup offers preview, but faces mixed turnout
The announcement comes just after the US hosted the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. The final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain at MetLife Stadium drew over 81,000 fans, but some earlier matches saw low attendance. Hot weather, particularly during afternoon games, posed challenges for both players and spectators.
Despite these issues, FIFA described the tournament as a “rousing success,” highlighting the growing popularity of football in the US.
Immigration concerns ahead of Global fan influx
US President Donald Trump attended the Club World Cup final and hosted Italian team Juventus at the White House during their stay. However, recent immigration restrictions imposed by his administration have raised concerns about fan accessibility.
In June, the US introduced travel restrictions on citizens from 19 countries, including Iran, a nation whose team has qualified for the World Cup. These rules may affect international fans' ability to attend the event.
Subsequently, Trump’s policies are raising alarms across the tourism industry. Officially known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, the legislation introduces a $250 “visa integrity fee” for most non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, and temporary workers. The timing has sparked concern among travel and hospitality leaders, who fear the added cost and stricter immigration controls could deter international fans and undermine the economic gains expected from one of the world’s biggest sporting events.
Rising interest in football across the US
Although football continues to trail behind American football, basketball, and baseball in US popularity, interest has grown significantly in recent years. This surge has been driven in part by Lionel Messi’s move to Inter Miami in 2023 and the increasing visibility of international competitions.
The 2026 World Cup will mark the first time the event is hosted across three nations and is expected to attract millions of fans from around the world. FIFA has urged fans to stay informed about ticketing updates through its official channels.
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