FIFA Opens New Ticket Inventory for All 104 World Cup Matches — How to Get Yours

With 50 days remaining until the opening whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, FIFA has confirmed that a major new wave of tickets will go on general sale on Wednesday, 22 April at 11:00 ET (17:00 CET). This release marks the formal start of the Last-Minute Sales Phase — a rolling sales window that will continue making tickets available through the end of the tournament, up to and including the Final on Sunday, 19 July.

For fans still searching for their seat at one of the most anticipated sporting events in history, this is the opportunity. Tickets across all 104 matches will be available at FIFA.com/tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, with categories ranging from Category 1 through Category 3 as well as front-row seat options, depending on the specific match.

More than five million tickets have already been sold — and inventory will continue to be released on an ongoing basis until the Final.

What the Last-Minute Sales Phase Means for Fans

Unlike earlier sales phases, which required registration, ballot entries, or specific eligibility windows, the Last-Minute Sales Phase is open to any member of the general public. Anyone with an account at FIFA.com/tickets can enter the queue and purchase directly when inventory is available.

FIFA has structured this phase to run continuously: tickets will not simply be available at the April 22 drop and then disappear. Additional inventory will be released on an ongoing basis throughout the tournament as tickets are returned, re-allocated, or made available from other sources. Fans who miss the initial drop should check FIFA.com/tickets regularly throughout the coming weeks.

The categories available at any given moment will vary by match. Higher-demand fixtures — including knockout-round matches in New York/New Jersey and other major venues — may see faster sell-through in premium categories. Fans are advised to be flexible on category if the priority is securing access to a specific match.

How the Queue Works

Given the volume of traffic expected at sale start, FIFA has implemented a digital queue system. This is consistent with how previous high-demand sales periods have functioned: fans who arrive at FIFA.com/tickets at or around 11:00 ET will be placed in a virtual waiting room, which manages traffic and distributes access systematically.

Once admitted through the queue, fans will be able to:

• Browse available matches and ticket categories in real time
• Select specific seats directly from the venue seat map
• Use the "Book the Best Seat" feature for automatic seat selection
• Complete purchase and receive confirmation upon successful payment

A confirmed booking notification is sent once payment is processed. Fans should allow for queue waiting time, particularly in the first hour after the sale opens.

The official and only authorised source for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets is FIFA.com/tickets. Do not purchase from any other unauthorised source.

Resale and Exchange: Official and Verified Secondary Market Options

For fans who cannot attend matches they have already purchased, and for buyers seeking specific fixtures, FIFA has made the official Resale and Exchange Marketplace available at FIFA.com/tickets. This platform allows eligible ticket holders to list their tickets for resale to other fans in a regulated, secure environment.

Purchasing through the official resale marketplace protects buyers from invalid or fraudulent tickets — a significant risk when dealing with unauthorised third-party sellers. The resale service operates subject to applicable federal and local regulations in each host city.

If you are looking for a ticket to a match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford — the venue hosting the most matches of any site in this tournament, including the Final — verified resale platforms are an established option for fans who need flexibility on timing or seating. See our MetLife Stadium guide and our full NYC/NJ transport guide to plan your match day.

Hospitality Packages: The Premium Option

Fans seeking a guaranteed seat at a specific match — without the uncertainty of a public sales queue — can also explore official hospitality packages through On Location, FIFA's Official Hospitality Provider. Packages are available at FIFA.com/hospitality and include a match ticket as part of a broader premium matchday experience.

Hospitality options typically include dedicated entrance, premium seating, and food and beverage service. For major matches at MetLife Stadium, these packages offer a way to lock in attendance at fixtures where general sale inventory is likely to move quickly.

Entry Requirements: Visa and Travel Considerations

A match ticket alone does not guarantee entry into the United States. International fans traveling to matches in the New York/New Jersey region must satisfy U.S. entry requirements independently of their ticket purchase.

FIFA has established the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS) to assist World Cup 2026 ticket holders who require a U.S. visa in securing an earlier visa interview appointment. FIFA strongly recommends that fans submit any required visa applications as early as possible, given current processing times at U.S. consular offices worldwide.

Fans should verify current entry requirements for Canada, Mexico, and the United States directly via each country's government immigration website. For a full breakdown of travel logistics into the New York metro area, see our where-to-stay guide and neighborhood guide.

What This Tournament Means

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is already on course to be the largest in history. Featuring 48 national teams competing across 39 days of football, the tournament has already surpassed five million tickets sold — and is expected to break the cumulative attendance record of 3.5 million set at the 1994 World Cup on U.S. soil. New York and New Jersey will be at the center of it: MetLife Stadium is the largest venue in the tournament and hosts the Final.

For international fans making the trip, the New York metro area offers an unmatched backdrop — from the fan atmosphere along the waterfront to the city's dense network of soccer-watching communities, diaspora supporter groups, and official FIFA fan zones. The FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park, Fan Zone Queens at Louis Armstrong Stadium, and the Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center are all confirmed for the tournament window.

For a full overview of what to expect when you arrive, visit our NYC World Cup fan guide, including information on fan zones and public viewings, soccer bars, and the full match schedule.