FIFA World Cup: Random Selection Draw for single-match tickets open for applications

DALLAS - The third phase of ticket sales for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has opened, offering fans the first opportunity to apply for single-match tickets based on the finalized schedule.

FIFA single-match tickets

What we know:

The entry period for the Random Selection Draw ticketing phase is now open and runs through Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. ET (17:00 CET), according to an announcement from FIFA.

Ticket prices for both the public and team supporters have been set and will remain consistent throughout this sales phase. Nearly two million tickets have already been sold in previous presale draws for the tournament.

How does random selection work?

Fans must go to the official ticketing portal and create a FIFA ID, then make their selections. Winners will be notified in February.

There’s a four ticket maximum, per household, per match, and a maximum of 40 tickets for the whole tournament.

But, if tickets aren’t yet a guarantee, how are they already flooding third-party online resellers?

Third-party FIFA tickets

Dave Wakeman is a ticketing industry expert.

"What the brokers are doing, they’re listing those seats under the belief that they’ll be able to fulfill those orders at the price and location," said Wakeman. "It’s a very controversial practice."

FOX 4 sifted through some of the nine North Texas matches on sites like Stubhub and Seatgeek.

For the June 14 kickoff between the Netherlands and Japan, a single ticket starts at $651.

It only goes up from there. It's more than $900 for the June 17 match between England and Croatia.

June 22 and 27 is when soccer royalty will play, with Argentina and Lionel Messi fetching more than $1,100.

The priciest, at more than $2,800, is the July 14 semi-final.

When should I buy FIFA tickets?

Experts say while they understand fans are excited, patience is a virtue. They caution against buying too early.

"It would just be taking a lot of risk to buy something right now, when nobody has tickets in hand," Wakeman said.

Timeline:

The current phase marks the first time fans can apply for tickets to specific group stage matches, selecting based on which national teams are playing, where, and when, following the match schedule revealed on Dec. 6.

Fans can enter the Random Selection Draw at FIFA.com/tickets. FIFA emphasized that the timing of a fan’s entry within the window will not affect their chance of success. Existing FIFA ID holders should log in to apply, while new users must create an account.

Successful applicants will be notified via email and automatically charged for their tickets in February.

In addition to the public draw, fans of specific national teams may be eligible to apply for Participating Member Association (PMA) Supporter tickets starting Thursday, Dec. 11, provided they meet their national association’s eligibility criteria.

For those seeking a premium experience, hospitality packages that include tickets are available through On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider. All-inclusive travel packages, including tickets, flights, and hotel stays, are also available from Qatar Airways.

A FIFA Resale/Exchange Marketplace for tickets will open on Dec. 15 at FIFA.com/tickets.