FIFA has released a limited number of 2026 World Cup tickets for fans who were unsuccessful in the most recent phase of sales.
The Random Selection Draw ran from Dec. 11 to Jan. 13. Fans entered a lottery to be selected and those who were successful were notified starting on Feb. 5.
Fans who were successful received tickets to the game(s) they requested and were automatically billed.
It appeared the entrants who weren’t successful would have to wait until April, when FIFA will begin offering tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
But this week, some fans received an email from FIFA offering an exclusive 48-hour window to purchase World Cup tickets.
In a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports, FIFA confirmed that it was offering some fans a second chance to buy tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
“FIFA can confirm that a limited number of additional single-match tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have become available following the conclusion of the Random Selection Draw,” the statement read.
“In line with our established ticketing procedures, and in order to maximize fairness and acknowledge fans who have already demonstrated strong interest in the tournament, FIFA has offered an exclusive, time-limited purchase window to a defined group of applicants who were previously unsuccessful in the Random Selection Draw. Access is provided directly through the official FIFA ticketing account of the invited customers.
“Tickets made available through this dedicated sales window are limited, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and remain subject to applicable household limits and the General Public Ticketing Terms and Conditions.”
FIFA said that it received more than 500 million requests for tickets during the Random Selection Draw.
The 2026 World Cup gets underway on June 11 as Mexico hosts South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The tournament will run through July 19, when the final will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This year’s tournament will be the biggest in history, featuring 48 teams for the first time. The 104 games will be spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada, with the U.S. hosting 78 matches.
The host cities for the 2026 World Cup are as follows: