FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Sales Phase 3: Dates, Prices and How to Apply

The biggest FIFA World Cup in history starts in less than seven months. Fans around the world are preparing for their chance to secure seats. FIFA sold nearly 2 million tickets in the first two phases. Now Phase 3 ticket sales open on December 11, 2025.

This phase is special. You can apply for tickets to specific matches with known team matchups. The Final Draw happened on December 5, 2025 in Washington D.C. You now know exactly which teams face each other before applying.

What is Random Selection Draw?

The Random Selection Draw is Phase 3 of ticket sales. This lottery system gives everyone equal chances of getting selected. The time you submit your application does not matter at all.

You could apply on December 11 or wait until January 13. Your odds stay exactly the same. FIFA randomly picks winners after the application window closes. They send notifications in February 2026. Your payment card gets charged automatically if selected.

This is different from Phase 4 which uses first-come, first-served sales. The lottery system is fairer for most fans.

Phase 3 Key Dates and Timeline

• Application Opens: December 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET (5:00 PM CET)
• Application Closes: January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET (5:00 PM CET)
• Results Notification: February 2026
• Payment Processing: Automatic charge if you win

You have over a month to submit your application. Take your time to plan which matches you want to see. Rushing makes no difference to your selection chances.

How to Apply for Phase 3 Tickets

Step 1: Create Your FIFA ID

Go to FIFA.com/tickets right now. Create a FIFA ID if you don’t have one. People who applied before can use their existing login.

Step 2: Choose Your Matches

Browse all available matches starting December 11. Pick which games you want to attend. Select multiple matches to improve your odds.

Step 3: Select Seating Category

Four categories exist with different prices and views. Pick what fits your budget. Category 3 and 4 cost less than Category 1 and 2.

Step 4: Pick Number of Tickets

Choose how many tickets you need per match. Remember the 4 per match limit.

Step 5: Submit Application

Complete all required information. Double-check everything before submitting. You must finish before January 13, 2026.

Step 6: Wait for Results

FIFA emails you in February. The email tells you if they picked your application. Selected people get charged automatically.

Step 7: Accept All Tickets

You must buy all tickets FIFA gives you. You cannot pick some and reject others. This is all or nothing.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Prices

FIFA uses variable pricing based on demand, venue and match importance. Prices change between phases and locations.

• Group Stage: Starting at $60
• Round of 32: $100 to $400
• Round of 16: $150 to $600
• Quarter-Finals: $300 to $1,200
• Semi-Finals: $420 to $2,780
• Final Match: Up to $6,730

Popular teams drive higher prices. Matches with Argentina, Brazil, England or Portugal cost more. Big cities like New York and Los Angeles charge more than smaller markets.

Seating Categories:

• Category 1: Most expensive, lower tier at midfield, best views
• Category 2: Mid-range, upper and lower tiers outside Category 1
• Category 3: Budget option, mainly upper tier
• Category 4: Cheapest, upper tier corners and behind goals

Early group stage matches between smaller nations offer the best value. Knockout rounds and marquee matchups cost significantly more.

Purchase Limits and Restrictions

FIFA set strict limits to ensure fair access:

• 4 tickets maximum per household per match
• 40 tickets maximum for entire tournament

Your household is the postal address in your FIFA ticketing account. Multiple people at one address cannot bypass these limits. Creating extra FIFA IDs will not work.

The system tracks by address. You cannot use different accounts to get around the 40-ticket cap.

PMA Supporter Tickets

National team supporters can apply for special allocations starting December 11. These are Participating Member Association (PMA) supporter tickets.

Each country’s soccer federation controls these tickets. They set their own eligibility rules. Some require membership in official supporter clubs. Others need proof of citizenship or residency.

Check your national team’s official website for specific requirements. These tickets let you sit with fellow supporters from your country. You get the experience of being in a section full of fans cheering together.

Application processes vary by federation. Some use their own lottery systems. Others sell on a first-come basis to registered members.

What Happened in Previous Phases?

Phase 1: Visa Presale Draw (September 10-19, 2025)

Only Visa cardholders could apply. FIFA used random selection. Winners purchased tickets starting October 1, 2025.

Phase 2: Early Ticket Draw (October 27-31, 2025)

Open to all fans. Host country residents (USA, Canada, Mexico) got priority access November 12-15. General sales began November 17.

Current Results:

Nearly 2 million tickets sold across both phases. Fans from 212 countries and territories bought tickets. Top purchasing countries are USA, Canada and Mexico. England, Germany, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Argentina and France follow.

This means competition for remaining tickets is intense. Available inventory keeps shrinking with each phase.

What Comes After Phase 3?

Phase 4: Last-Minute Sales (Spring 2026)

This is your final chance at face value tickets. The system works on first-come, first-served basis. No lottery exists.

FIFA has not revealed which matches will be available. They also kept quiet about quantities. Expect very limited tickets that sell out in minutes.

This phase favors people with fast internet and good timing. Most fans will miss out. Phase 3 gives you much better odds through the lottery system.

Resale Market and Secondary Options

FIFA Official Resale Marketplace

The only authorized resale platform opened October 2, 2025. Access it at FIFA.com/tickets.

FIFA removed price caps for USA and Canada. Sellers can charge any amount they want. Mexico has separate rules with face value limits.

Current prices are extremely high. Popular matches start at $1,500. Many tickets cost $25,000 or more. Some Category 1 Final tickets reached $100,000.

Hospitality Packages

Available now at FIFA.com/hospitality through On Location. These packages guarantee match tickets plus premium perks.

You get exclusive lounge access. Food and drinks are included. VIP experiences come with the package. Prices start at several thousand dollars per person.

This option works for people who want guaranteed access and have large budgets.

Avoid Unauthorized Sellers

Many websites claim to sell World Cup tickets. Most are not authorized by FIFA. These tickets might be fake or invalid.

You risk losing money and missing matches. Stick to FIFA’s official channels only. The lottery inconvenience beats the risk of fraud.

Tournament Details You Need to Know

• Dates: June 11 to July 19, 2026
• Total Matches: 104 (expanded from 64)
• Teams: 48 nations (expanded from 32)
• Opening Match: Mexico vs South Africa at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City on June 11
• Final: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19
• USA Host Cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle
• Mexico Host Cities: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
• Canada Host Cities: Toronto, Vancouver

The tournament spans three countries and 16 cities. Plan your travel carefully. Matches happen across four time zones.

Important Requirements and Eligibility

You must be 18 years or older to apply. A valid payment card is required for automatic charging if selected.

FIFA.com/tickets is the only official source. No other websites are authorized to sell tickets directly.

Visa and Travel Requirements:

Match tickets do NOT guarantee entry to host countries. You need separate visas.

Check government websites for Canada, Mexico and United States entry requirements. Start visa applications immediately after getting tickets.

Processing takes weeks or months. Early application prevents problems. U.S. ticket holders can use FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) for faster visa interviews.

How to Improve Your Odds of Getting Tickets

Apply for Multiple Matches

You can request up to 40 tickets total. Applying for several games increases odds of getting something. You might not get first choice but could land other matches.

Be Flexible on Categories

Category 3 and 4 have better availability. Fewer people compete for cheaper seats. You improve selection odds significantly.

Target Less Popular Games

Everyone wants Argentina vs Brazil. Fewer fans apply for group stage matches between smaller nations. Your odds jump for these games.

Plan by Region

Focus applications on one geographic area. West region: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara. Central region: Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Monterrey, Mexico City. East region: Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, New York/New Jersey.

This cuts travel costs and avoids impossible logistics.

Prepare Backup Plans

Don’t rely only on Phase 3. Research Phase 4 details. Check hospitality package costs. Know your alternatives if the lottery fails.

Why This Phase Matters

Phase 3 is the sweet spot for regular fans. Phase 1 required Visa cards. Phase 2 prioritized host country residents.

The Random Selection Draw levels the playing field. Everyone gets equal lottery chances. You know exact team matchups before applying. Face value pricing remains possible. You avoid massive resale markups.

Nearly 2 million tickets are gone. Only one phase comes after this. Phase 3 is your realistic best shot at attending without paying extreme prices.

Phase 3 opens December 11 at FIFA.com/tickets. Set up your FIFA ID now and prepare payment information.

The application window runs until January 13, so plan carefully which matches fit your schedule and budget. This is your best chance at face value tickets for the biggest World Cup in history.