In June 2022, FIFA officially announced its venues for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Among 16 host cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Houston was selected to host FIFA World Cup games with a total of seven games – two of which knockout round games. The esteemed soccer tournament, held every four years, for most represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Houston fans to watch the best soccer players in the world play in the City of Houston.
On June 11, 2026, the FIFA World Cup officially kicks off in Mexico, marking the beginning of 104 matches to be played throughout the tournament. Less than a year ahead of the tournmanent, FIFA has announced the official ticket sale date for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is September 10, 2025. There is, however, a catch. This date marks the first phase of ticketing for the tournament open solely to Visa cardholders. Dubbed the “Visa Presale Draw“, the ticketing option is available from 5 pm CET September 10 to September 19, 2025, in which qualifying Visa cardholders can enter a lottery system to purchase FIFA World Cup tickets. Because the selection process is random, timing of application during this phase will not impact the applicant’s chance of being selected.
How to enter Visa Presale Draw for FIFA World Cup tickets
Applicants hoping to secure tickets via the Visa Presale Draw must create a “FIFA ID” through FIFA.com/tickets. This presale, lottery-system ticket window is available from September 10 to September 19, 2025. Starting September 30, FIFA will begin notifying winners selected by way of random draw via email.
FIFA will notify those selected of their specific time and date in October to order their World Cup tickets. Once time slots open, selected applicants will have the availability to purchase tickets to all 104 matches – subject to availability. According to FIFA, group-stage tickets will start at just $60, with more elite seats going up to $6,730.
Phase 2 of FIFA World Cup tickets
Phase 2 of 2026 FIFA World Cup ticketing option, called “Early Ticket Draw” will be available from October 27 – October 31, 2025 to mid-November/early December. This ticketing system will mimic the Visa Presale Draw as a lottery-style application and randomized selection process. Following, FIFA will notify selected applicants and provide them with a time slot to purchase their tickets that which are subject to availability.
Phase 3: Random Selection Draw
The third phase of the World Cup ticket options will become available following the Final Draw on December 5, 2025, in which FIFA will reveal a majority of the group-stage games. Here, interested parties can apply for the chance to get tickets to specific match-ups. Remaining tickets following the three-phase process will be up for grabs closer to the tournament available at a first-come, first-served basis.