Third Phase of Ticket Sales Now Open
The Random Selection Draw for 2026 World Cup tickets opened on Thursday, revealing that FIFA has raised prices since the first two purchasing phases. FIFA has opened the Random Selection Draw ticketing phase for World Cup 2026, live now through 10am CT on Jan. 13. This marks the first time fans can apply for specific matches with confirmed teams, dates and locations following last week’s tournament draw.
Nearly 2 million tickets have already been sold in previous draws, according to FIFA. The application window allows fans to select specific matches, ticket categories and seat locations through FIFA’s official portal, with results to be announced in February.
Pricing Sparks International Outcry
The latest ticket prices have triggered widespread criticism from supporters’ groups and fans worldwide. Soccer fans have accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” after the latest prices for 2026 World Cup tickets began to circulate on Thursday. The cheapest available seat for the final in East Rutherford on July 19, 2026, will cost £3,119, representing a dramatic increase compared to previous tournaments.
FIFA said in September that tickets released through its website would initially range from $60 for group stage matches to $6,730 for the final, but those prices are subject to change as it adopts dynamic pricing for the first time at the World Cup. According to Football Supporters Europe, fans faced paying five times more than at the past finals in Qatar to follow their team throughout the tournament.
Calls for FIFA to Halt Sales
FIFA has been urged to halt World Cup ticket sales after it emerged countries’ most loyal fans face paying “extortionate” prices for tickets. Football Supporters Europe has demanded that FIFA immediately suspend ticket sales via national associations until pricing concerns are addressed.
The controversy centres on FIFA’s implementation of dynamic pricing and varying costs based on perceived match attractiveness. In Qatar in 2022, prices ranged from around $70 to $1,600 when ticket details were announced, highlighting the substantial price increases for the 2026 tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
What This Means for Fans
Despite the pricing controversy, the expanded 48-team tournament represents football’s biggest-ever World Cup. Fans have until mid-January to submit applications through the Random Selection Draw, with FIFA emphasising that entry timing does not affect selection chances. However, the affordability concerns may significantly impact accessibility for traditional supporters, particularly those planning to follow their teams through multiple matches.
As the tournament approaches in June 2026, the debate over ticket pricing underscores broader questions about the balance between commercial interests and maintaining the World Cup’s cultural significance as a globally accessible sporting celebration.
