Main ticket ballot for 2026 World Cup opens Thursday

The main ticket ballot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America opens on Thursday, giving fans their first chance to secure tickets since the draw and full match schedule were announced last week.

As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, FIFA’s pricing model has faced criticism, with Football Supporters Europe warning of “record high prices” and the potential for “huge financial risks” for fans who want to follow their teams. During an earlier sales phase, ticket prices ranged from £45 to £5,915.

How the ballot works

From 16:00 GMT on Thursday, fans can apply for tickets on FIFA’s website for the matches of their choice.

Each household can request up to four tickets per match and a maximum of 40 tickets across the tournament.

The application window closes on January 13, 2026.

You won’t have any advantage in applying early, as all fixtures remain available throughout the period.

Once the window closes, FIFA will run a lottery to determine successful applicants.

Fans will be notified by email in February, and those allocated tickets will be charged automatically.

Dynamic pricing and ticket costs

FIFA has confirmed that dynamic pricing—also called “variable pricing”—will not apply during the main ballot.

The price you see at the start of the application window will remain the same at the end.

However, prices will still reflect the expected demand for each fixture, with high-profile matches likely to be more expensive.

FIFA has not yet published official price lists for the main ballot, though fans will know the cost of tickets when the window opens.

Currently, the best guide comes from fans who tracked prices during the earlier sales phase.

The main ticket ballot marks the first major opportunity for fans to secure tickets for the 2026 World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

It is expected to be the largest World Cup ever, with 48 teams competing, and millions of fans worldwide hoping to attend.

FIFA has a tiered ticketing system, with multiple phases of sales: early sales, corporate allocations, and the main ticket ballot, which is the first opportunity for general fans to apply for tickets after the match schedule is announced.