FIFA Announces Stage 2 of 2026 World Cup Ticket Sales
Next summer brings one of the world's premier events to the United States, and millions of fans will have the opportuntiy to attend.
The 2026 World Cup is set to be played in North America next year, as 48 teams will compete for the top honor in international soccer for the very first time. The tournament's expansion from the previous 32-team model will be a huge change for the logistical elements associated with it, including the fan experience.
One million tickets to the sprawling, continent-spanning event have already been sold, and tournament organizers FIFA have advanced into step two.
New Stage of Ticketing Opens for World Cup
A new ticket draw has opened for the second stage of sales, offering an additional 1 million tickets. In an effort to get fans from the United States, Canada and Mexico to attend easily, fans from those nations will have a exclusive time slot for their time zone.
"We already have seen massive interest from around the world for this tournament, and especially from within the host countries as Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the biggest FIFA World Cup yet," said Heimo Schirgi, the tournament's chief operating officer.
"This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time slot, will allow us to say 'thank you' to these local fans, while ensuring global opportunity as well."
Fans will get the chance to enter a draw that could grant them a time slot for ticket purchases on November 12, and the slots will be awarded three days later on November 15.
Fans from around the world will be eligible to receive a purchase slot for the second round of ticketing on November 17.
2026 World Cup Will Make History
2026 will mark the first World Cup to be held in the United States since 1994.
Many top sports and entertainment venues are linked to the event, including MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The home of the NFL's New York Giants and Jets will host the final of the tournament on July 19.
Stadiums like Kansas City's Arrowhead, the Rams/Chargers' SoFi and the San Francisco 49ers' Levi's will all be used by some of the best soccer players in the world. Fans enjoy the World Cup and the competition it brings, and they'll have chance to see it all in person if they're lucky enough to secure tickets.
There are around 7.1 million tickets in total for the 104 matches of next year's World Cup. We'll see if the tiered and timed approach makes it easier on fans looking to include themselves in that number.