The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, across 16 stadiums in the United States (11 venues), Mexico (3 venues), and Canada (2 venues). With 48 teams and 104 matches, this is the largest World Cup in history. Official tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA Official Tickets. This guide covers how to buy, price tiers, safe resale options, and how to reach the three highest-demand stadiums — Azteca in Mexico City, MetLife in New York, and SoFi in Los Angeles.
Official Tickets: FIFA Official Tickets Portal
The only authorized direct-sale channel is fifa.com/tickets (FIFA Official Tickets). No other website or third party is authorized to sell tickets directly on FIFA’s behalf.
The public sale phases ran from November 2023 through mid-2025 in several rounds. High-demand fixtures — the Group A matches at Azteca, the Final at MetLife on July 19, and both semi-finals — sold out in each window. As of spring 2026, the official portal handles:
- Last-minute releases: tickets returned due to payment failures, cancellations, or compliance issues.
- Official resale listings: priced through the FIFA Ticket Resale program with a regulated price cap.
- Hospitality packages: available at matchhospitality.com, organized separately from individual ticket sales.
How to buy on the official portal:
- Create an account at fifa.com with a valid email address.
- Complete identity verification — required for physical and digital ticket issuance.
- Select your match, category, and quantity.
- Payment for matches in the USA and Canada is in USD; matches in Mexico can be paid in MXN or USD.
Tickets are issued as mobile tickets (digital format) linked to your account. Transfers to other verified accounts are allowed. Reselling at a markup violates FIFA’s terms of service, though enforcement is limited to the official resale platform.
Ticket Price Tiers
Prices vary by match stage (group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, final) and seat category. Below are indicative ranges for group-stage matches:
| Category | Description | Indicative Range (Group Stage) |
|---|---|---|
| Cat. 4 | Local market (host country residents) | From $20–$90 USD |
| Cat. 3 | Standard seating, general access | $180–$300 USD |
| Cat. 2 | Preferred seating | $380–$550 USD |
| Cat. 1 | Premium central seating | $600–$800 USD |
| Hospitality | Suites and VIP packages | From $1,200 USD per person |
For the Final at MetLife on July 19, Cat. 1 official prices started at $1,100 USD in the last direct sale window. Hospitality packages for the Final range from $3,500 to $10,000 per person depending on service tier.
In Mexico, prices were set in Mexican pesos with a Cat. 4 tier reserved exclusively for Mexican residents, priced substantially below the international categories.
Resale: Platforms and How to Stay Safe
For sold-out fixtures, the secondary market is the only access route. There are two types of options:
FIFA Official Resale Program
The FIFA portal’s Ticket Resale section allows verified buyers to list tickets at regulated prices — sellers cannot charge more than the face value plus a fixed platform fee. This is the safest option: ticket validity is guaranteed by the same system that issued the original.
External Verified Platforms
StubHub is the FIFA’s official resale partner for North American markets. In many countries, the FIFA portal redirects to StubHub for external resale. Tickets purchased via StubHub include a validity guarantee and a full refund if the ticket turns out to be invalid.
Viagogo operates across most Spanish-speaking markets and covers matches in Mexico. Prices on Viagogo tend to run higher than StubHub, and service fees are added at checkout. The platform offers a buyer guarantee, though dispute resolution can be slower.
How to avoid fraud:
- Never buy tickets via social media, messaging apps, or private transfers. Fake ticket fraud is the most commonly reported scam for events of this scale.
- Always verify the URL before entering payment details — check for the padlock and the exact domain.
- Any seller asking for cash or a direct bank transfer is operating outside verified channels.
- Check the refund policy before buying: World Cup matches are not cancelled, but schedule or venue changes can happen under exceptional circumstances.
Venue Guide: The Three Highest-Demand Stadiums
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City)
The Azteca — officially Estadio Ciudad de México — holds 87,000 spectators and hosts Group A matches. It is the only stadium to have hosted two World Cup Finals (1970 and 1986) and was one of three venues that opened the tournament on June 11. Group A matches at the Azteca carry the highest demand of any fixture on Mexican soil.
Getting there: The stadium is in southern Mexico City. The most direct public transport option is Line 2 of the Metro to Universidad station, approximately 2 km from the gates. Special shuttle buses run from several points around the city on match days. Traffic in the area on match days is severe — public transport is the only practical option for most attendees.
Inventory status (April 2026): Group A fixtures at the Azteca are sold out on the official portal. Resale platforms show availability starting around $450 USD in the lowest categories.
MetLife Stadium (New Jersey / New York)
MetLife Stadium hosts the Final on July 19 and several knockout-stage matches. With a capacity of 82,500, it is the highest-demand venue of the entire tournament.
Getting there: NJ Transit trains run from Penn Station in New York to Meadowlands station, with special match-day service. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. Driving and ride-shares face major congestion on match days — NJ Transit is strongly recommended.
Inventory status (April 2026): The Final is sold out on the official portal. On StubHub, Cat. 3 Final tickets are listed above $2,500 USD. Match Hospitality packages at matchhospitality.com still have limited availability.
SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles)
SoFi Stadium holds 70,000 spectators in its World Cup configuration and hosts group-stage and Round of 16 matches. Fixtures involving Mexico’s national team or other Latin American sides generate elevated demand from the large Spanish-speaking community in the Los Angeles area.
Getting there: A shuttle service runs from the Metro C Line (Aviation/LAX station) on match days. There is no direct Metro connection to the stadium itself. Rideshares drop off at a dedicated zone around the stadium perimeter — allocate extra time for post-match pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there still tickets available for the 2026 World Cup?
Direct-sale inventory for the most sought-after matches — the Final, semi-finals, and Group A matches at the Azteca — is sold out. The FIFA portal manages occasional inventory releases and an official resale program with regulated pricing. For lower-demand first-round fixtures, the official portal may have sporadic availability. Resale platforms such as StubHub and Viagogo carry inventory for most matches at secondary-market prices.
How much do World Cup 2026 tickets cost?
Official Cat. 3 prices for group-stage matches in the USA and Canada start around $180–$300 USD. Cat. 1 tickets for knockout rounds exceed $600 USD. On the resale market, prices for high-profile matches typically run two to three times the official face value. Hospitality packages start at $1,200 USD per person for group-stage fixtures.
How do I buy official World Cup 2026 tickets?
The only official channel is fifa.com/tickets. You need a verified FIFA account to purchase. Tickets are digital, stored in your account, and can be transferred to other verified users. Reselling at a markup violates FIFA’s terms — use the official resale section on the portal if you want to sell legitimately.
Is StubHub safe for World Cup 2026 tickets?
Yes. StubHub is FIFA’s official resale partner for North America, and all tickets listed on the platform carry a validity guarantee. If a ticket proves invalid, StubHub refunds the full purchase price. Check the seller’s listing details carefully, particularly for the correct match date, venue, and category before confirming purchase.
How do I get to MetLife Stadium for the World Cup Final?
Take NJ Transit from Penn Station (New York) to Meadowlands station. Trains run frequently on Final day, with additional service before and after the match. The trip takes about 30 minutes and avoids the severe road congestion around the stadium on match day. Purchase your NJ Transit ticket in advance via the NJ Transit app or at Penn Station.