How to Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets: Random Selection Draw Guide

The wait is almost over. FIFA opens the Random Selection Draw for World Cup 2026 tickets on December 11, 2025. This is your chance to buy tickets for specific matches with confirmed team matchups.

The Final Draw on December 5 showed which teams face each other. You know exactly what you’re buying before you apply.

What Makes December 11 Special

This date marks the first time you can request tickets for exact games. Previous phases sold tickets before anyone knew the matchups. Phase 1 and Phase 2 buyers gambled on which teams would play where.

The Random Selection Draw changes everything. Brazil plays Scotland in Miami. England faces Croatia in Dallas. You pick matches based on teams you actually want to watch. December 11 matters more than any previous sales date.

Random Selection Draw Explained

The system works as a fair lottery. Every applicant gets equal chances no matter when they apply. You could submit on December 11 at noon or January 12 at midnight. Your odds stay the same.

FIFA collects all applications from December 11 to January 13. They run the lottery after the window closes. Winners get emails in February 2026. Your card gets charged right away if selected. You must accept all tickets they give you or none at all.

December 11 to January 13: Application Window

• Opens: December 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET
• Closes: January 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET
• Results: February 2026 via email
• Payment: Your card gets charged automatically

You have 33 days to apply. Use this time to research matches and plan your budget. No rush exists since timing doesn’t change your selection chances.

Your Buying Guide: 7 Simple Steps

Step 1: Make your FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets before December 11. Get this done early.

Step 2: Research which matches you want. Check dates, locations and teams carefully.

Step 3: Log in on December 11 and look at available matches.

Step 4: Pick your matches, seating categories and ticket quantities.

Step 5: Review everything. Make sure dates work with your travel plans.

Step 6: Submit before January 13.

Step 7: Wait for February email. Winners get charged right away.

Ticket Pricing Breakdown

World Cup Ticket Prices change based on match importance and venue location. Group stage games start at $60. The Final reaches $6,730 for premium seats.

• Category 1 sits at midfield in lower sections. Best views but costs the most.
• Category 2 offers good views in upper and lower tiers at middle prices.
• Category 3 puts you in upper sections at budget prices.
• Category 4 gives cheapest access from corners and behind goals.

Popular teams push prices higher. Argentina, Brazil and England matches cost more than games between smaller nations. New York and Los Angeles venues charge premium rates. Kansas City and Guadalajara cost less.

Smart Buying Strategies

Apply for multiple matches to boost your odds. The 40-ticket tournament limit gives you room to request several games. You might not get your top choice but could score tickets to other matches.

Pick Category 3 or 4 for better availability. Everyone fights for Category 1 seats. Far fewer people compete for upper tier sections. Target less popular group stage games. Matches between smaller nations draw fewer applicants than knockout rounds.

Stick to one geographic region. West coast venues are Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Central spots include Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and Mexico City. East coast cities are Toronto, Boston, Miami and New York. One region saves you serious travel money.

Purchase Rules You Must Know

You can buy 4 tickets per match maximum. The tournament cap is 40 tickets total. These limits work by household based on your address.

Multiple FIFA IDs at the same address won’t help you. The system tracks by postal address. You cannot split applications across family members at one home.

Team Supporter Ticket Options

National federations get special ticket batches for registered supporters. Each country makes its own eligibility rules. Some want official fan club membership. Others ask for citizenship proof.

Check your national team’s website for exact requirements. These tickets put you with fellow supporters. Application methods vary by federation. Some use lotteries and others sell first-come, first-served to members.

Missing the Lottery? Your Other Options

Phase 4 last-minute sales happen in spring 2026. This runs on first-come, first-served. No lottery exists. Limited tickets will vanish in minutes.

The official resale marketplace at FIFA.com/tickets has no price caps. Current listings start at $1,500 for group stage games. Popular matches hit $25,000 or more. Final tickets reach $100,000 on the resale market.

Hospitality packages guarantee entry with premium perks. Prices start at several thousand dollars per person. Check FIFA.com/hospitality for packages.

How to Protect Yourself from Scams

Only buy from FIFA.com/tickets. This is the one authorized source for official tickets. Other websites selling World Cup tickets lack FIFA approval.

Watch for these red flags. Prices way below face value mean fake tickets. Sellers asking for wire transfers or cryptocurrency want to steal your money. Websites without secure payment systems risk your financial data.

Never trust social media posts offering tickets. Scammers make fake accounts claiming they have extra tickets. They take your money and vanish. You lose cash and miss the matches.

The official FIFA resale marketplace opened in October 2025. This is your only legitimate spot to buy resold tickets. Every ticket sold through this platform gets checked by FIFA. You get secure delivery through the official app.

Fake ticket sites often look real. They copy FIFA logos and colors. Check the URL carefully. The real site is FIFA.com/tickets. Anything else tries to scam you.

Your safest move is simple. Use FIFA’s official channels only. The lottery might seem like a hassle but beats losing thousands to fraudsters.

Visa Requirements for Ticket Holders

Tickets don’t guarantee entry to host countries. You need separate visas for USA, Canada and Mexico. Start applications right after getting tickets.

Processing takes weeks or months. The FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) speeds up US visa interviews for ticket holders. Check government websites for exact entry requirements.

Almost 2 million tickets sold already in the first two phases. Fans from 212 countries grabbed their spots. Competition grows fiercer with each phase. The tournament runs June 11 to July 19, 2026 across 16 cities in three countries. Plan travel between venues carefully since games span four time zones.

Quick Action Checklist

Before December 11:

• Make FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets
• Add valid payment card to account
• Research matches and venues
• Set your budget

December 11 to January 13:

• Log in and browse matches
• Pick multiple games for better odds
• Choose flexible categories
• Submit application

After Application:

• Check email regularly in February
• Get ready for automatic payment
• Start visa applications if selected
• Book travel and hotels

The Random Selection Draw opens in days. Get your FIFA ID ready and plan your match picks now. This gives you the best shot at face value tickets for the biggest World Cup ever.