Fifa World Cup 2026: First phase of ticket sales kicks off in September

48-team tournament across US, Canada and Mexico fuels global demand for seats

Last updated: July 31, 2025 | 15:41

2 MIN READ

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi holds aloft the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

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Dubai: Mark your calendars. The countdown to the biggest Fifa World Cup in history is underway — and the first chance to secure tickets arrives in September. But only Visa cardholders will be in the game during this opening play.

Fifa has announced that the first phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup will be launched through an exclusive Visa Presale Draw, running from September 10 to 19. During this window, Visa cardholders across the globe can apply for a chance to purchase tickets by registering at FIFA.com/tickets and creating a Fifa ID.

Successful applicants to be notified

Following a random selection process, successful applicants will be notified via email starting no earlier than September 30, and assigned a specific date and time in October to buy tickets (subject to availability) on the official Fifa ticketing platform.

As the Official Payment Technology Partner of Fifa, Visa will be the exclusive method of payment during this presale phase, offering fans a fast, secure, and seamless checkout experience.

“Excitement for the Fifa World Cup is building fast, and September 10 is a date every football fan should have marked in their calendar,” said Fifa Chief Business Officer Romy Gai. “We’re delighted to once again partner with Visa to give fans the first opportunity to secure their place at the greatest show on earth.”

Unlocking opportunities

“This isn’t just about early access to tickets — it’s about unlocking opportunities across North America, fuelling the passion of the global football community and ensuring the economic impact of the tournament reaches far beyond the final whistle,” said Frank Cooper, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa.

Given the high demand, Fifa will release tickets in phases, each following a different process. Fans who aren’t eligible for the Visa Presale Draw, or those looking to buy more tickets, will have additional opportunities in later phases. Full details will be shared in September.

Set to feature 48 teams playing 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Fifa World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be the largest and most inclusive edition in the tournament’s history. Fans are advised to start planning now — this is one moment in football they won’t want to miss.

A.K.S. SatishSports Editor

From playing on the pitch to analysing it from the press box, Satish has spent over three decades living and breathing sport. A cricketer-turned-journalist, he has covered three Cricket World Cups, the 2025 Champions Trophy, countless IPL seasons, F1 races, horse racing classics, and tennis in Dubai. Cricket is his home ground, but he sees himself as an all-rounder - breaking stories, building pages, going live on podcasts, and interviewing legends across every corner of the sporting world. Satish started on the back pages, and earned his way to the front, now leading the sports team at Gulf News, where he has spent 25 years navigating the fast-evolving game of journalism. Whether it’s a Super-Over thriller or a behind-the-scenes story, he aims to bring insight, energy, and a fan’s heart to every piece. Because like sport, journalism is about showing up, learning every day, and giving it everything.