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FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Lottery: How It Works (and What to Do If You Miss Out)
Written by Aviran Zazon | Last updated on January 11, 2026
If you have ever tried getting tickets for a major tournament, you already know the feeling: huge demand, confusing phases, and the fear that you will miss a drop by five minutes.
For the 2026 World Cup, FIFA has leaned heavily into lottery-style sales phases rather than one giant first-come-first-served stampede. The main random selection draw for World Cup 2026 tickets had a registration period from 11 December to 13 January.
That’s good news in one way, because it doesn’t need lightning-fast reflexes. But it also means you need to understand the system, because once you enter, you are effectively committing to buy if you win.
This guide breaks down how the general public FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket lottery works, step by step, plus what happens after the lottery phases finish.
Guaranteed tickets, no lottery needed
The basic idea: You Apply First, FIFA Allocates Later
In a lottery phase, you are not “buying” World Cup 2026 tickets on the spot.
You are requesting them during a set window. When that window closes, FIFA runs a computerised random allocation. If you are successful, you are then charged and you receive your tickets in your FIFA ticketing account.
The key point: during draw phases, it is not first-come-first-served. Applying early does not usually improve your chances, as long as you submit before the deadline.
Step 1: Create a FIFA Ticketing Account (FIFA ID)
To apply in any sales phase, you will need a FIFA ticketing account (often referred to as a FIFA ID). Once you are logged in, you can:
- Choose matches (or ticket packages, when available)
- Choose ticket categories (your seating tier)
- Request the number of tickets you want
This is also where you will see your application status later (successful, partially successful, or unsuccessful).
Step 2: Know the Ticket Request Limits
FIFA sets limits to stop one person hoovering up huge quantities.
For World Cup 2026, the headline limits to keep in mind are:
- Up to 4 tickets per match (per applicant/household)
- Up to 40 tickets total across the tournament
- You cannot apply for two matches on the same day
Those rules matter if you are applying for a “tour” of matches across multiple cities. You may need to prioritise.
Step 3: Understand the Sales Phases
FIFA ticket sales take place in phases. In simple terms: Early phases were draw-based, then later phases tend to include first-come-first-served sales and resale activity.
Table 1: FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Sales Phases at a Glance
| Phase | Dates | What it is | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Presale Draw | 10–19 September 2025 | Early access draw | Fans with eligible Visa cards |
| Early Ticket Draw | 27–31 October 2025 | Second draw phase | Anyone |
| Random Selection Draw | 11 December 2025 – 13 January 2026 | Main public lottery | Everyone |
| Last-minute sales | Spring 2026 (TBC) | Late primary market phase | People who missed earlier phases |
| Resale / exchange | From 2 October 2025 until the tournament | Ticket holders resell tickets | Late buyers and fans chasing specific matches |
A quick note: Alongside general sales, there are also supporter allocations via national associations.
That is a different route, with different eligibility rules, so we are keeping the focus here on the general public process.
Step 4: Applying During a Lottery Window
When a lottery window is open, the process is usually:
- Log in to the FIFA ticketing portal
- Select the match (or matches) you want
- Choose your ticket category
- Choose how many tickets you want (up to the limit)
- Submit the request and save your confirmation
You can apply for multiple matches, but remember: if you win multiple allocations, you can be charged for all of them.
A practical approach
If you are trying to maximise your chance of getting in the stadium:
- apply for more than one match (if you can attend them)
- consider multiple categories (cheaper categories are usually the most competitive)
- consider less obvious venues, especially for group matches
Step 5: Payment Rules (this catches people out)
Even though lottery phases are not “instant purchases”, you still have to treat them like a real commitment.
Here is the important part:
- You enter your card details during the application
- You are only charged if you win tickets
- If you win, the charge happens automatically
So if you apply for several matches and you get lucky, you might see a larger total charge than you expected.
Top tip: Use a card that will definitely still be valid around the charging period and make sure your bank will not block the transaction as suspicious. Big international sports ticket charges get flagged more often than people realise.
Step 6: Results: Successful vs Partially Successful vs Unsuccessful
After the window closes, FIFA processes the draw and emails applicants.
There are three typical outcomes:
- Successful: you got everything you requested
- Partially successful: you got some of what you requested (for example, one match but not the others)
- Unsuccessful: you got nothing in that phase
One detail people often misunderstand: if you get tickets for a match, it is typically the full quantity you requested for that match, not “one out of four”. It is usually all-or-nothing per match request.
Step 7: What Happens if Your Payment Fails
If your payment fails, it can mean losing your tickets.
The usual reasons are boring but brutal:
- Expired card
- Insufficient funds or credit limit
- Bank blocks the transaction
- Card name does not match your account details
FIFA may attempt the payment more than once and may give you a short window to fix it, but you should not rely on that. The safest move is to treat the charging period like a deadline of its own.
After the Lottery: What Are Your Options if You Miss Out?
Whether you couldn’t make the Jan 13 deadline, or are just unfortunate, missing out in one phase does not mean you are done.
All you have to do is shift your strategy.
1) Later FIFA sales phases (including first-come-first-served)
Closer to the tournament, FIFA typically runs additional sales windows, including some rather sudden first-come-first-served drops for remaining inventory. These can be chaotic, and availability can be patchy, but they are real opportunities.
If you want to try them:
- make sure your FIFA account is set up in advance
- be logged in before the sale opens
- be flexible on match and category
2) FIFA’s official resale / exchange route
FIFA also runs an official resale mechanism for ticket holders to list tickets they cannot use, and other fans can buy them.
This route is popular because it keeps the ticket transfer process neat and reduces “will I actually receive the ticket?” stress.
3) The wider resale market (why comparison shopping is key)
In reality, a lot of fans end up buying via the wider resale ecosystem too, especially if they:
- want a specific match
- are travelling and need certainty
- miss multiple FIFA phases
- decide later
This is where a secondary market comparison site like Ticket-Compare.com becomes genuinely useful.
Prices can vary massively between marketplaces once fees and availability kick in, so being able to compare pricing in one place can save time and money.
You do not need to assume one route is always best. The smart move is usually to try the primary market first, then use resale as a fallback (or as a targeted tool for matches that are hard to win in a draw).
Table 2: Which Route Makes Sense for Different Types of Fans?
| Your situation | Best route to try first | Best backup |
|---|---|---|
| You just want to attend any match | FIFA lottery phases | Late sales + resale closer to kick-off |
| You want a specific big match | FIFA lottery (still worth trying) | Resale (official or wider market) |
| You are travelling from abroad | FIFA lottery early | Resale for certainty before flights/hotels rise |
| You missed the lottery deadline | Watch for later FIFA drops | Resale (comparison shopping helps here) |
Turkey vs Romania
FIFA World Cupfrom $45118 available ticketsWales vs Bosnia And Herzegovina
FIFA World Cupfrom $4463 available ticketsSlovakia vs Kosovo
FIFA World CupPoland vs Albania
FIFA World Cupfrom $50696 available tickets
FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Lottery | Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enter the FIFA World Cup ticket lottery?
You enter via FIFA’s official ticketing site. Create a FIFA ticketing account (FIFA ID), then apply during an open “Random Selection Draw” window.
You pick the match(es) or package(s) available at the time, choose your seating category, and request up to the per-match limit (typically up to four).
You add payment details when you apply, but you are only charged if you are allocated tickets. Applying earlier in the window does not usually improve your odds, as it is a draw.
Where can I purchase 2026 World Cup tickets?
For face-value tickets, the main route is FIFA’s official ticket portal during its sales phases (which include lottery windows and later first-come-first-served drops).
If you miss out, your next “official” option is FIFA’s resale/exchange marketplace, where fans list tickets they cannot use and the tickets are reissued within FIFA’s system.
Outside FIFA, there is also the wider secondary market, where prices and fees vary, so it is worth using a comparison site like Ticket-Compare.com, only listing tickets from sites that include buyer protection.
How much will World Cup 2026 tickets cost?
Prices depend on the match round, the teams involved, and the ticket category. Group-stage matches are usually the cheapest, while late knockouts (especially semi-finals and World Cup Final tickets) are the most expensive.
FIFA sells tickets in categories (Category 1 is the priciest, Category 4 is the cheapest and often restricted), plus there is a highly limited low-cost “Supporter Entry” style tier for team allocations, starting from $60.
Resale prices can be far higher than face value, and platform fees can add a noticeable extra layer.
Final thoughts: How Does the FIFA World Cup Ticket Lottery Work?
If you want to improve your chances in the FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket lottery:
- Apply for matches you can genuinely attend (and pay for)
- Do not bank on the cheapest category if you want higher odds
- Avoid same-day clashes when building your match plan
- Use more than one sales phase instead of treating one draw like your only shot
If you miss out on the random selection drawe, you still have plenty of options. Prices can change a lot over time, especially for group matches.
The best way to stay on top of these changes is to use Ticket-Compare.com. We list authentic World Cup 2026 tickets, only from legitimate websites that have a proven history for customer satisfaction, all backed up by 100% guarantees on sales.
At the moment we have 117 World Cup 2026 tickets in stock, with the cheapest seats on sale from as little as $446.
One match moving quickly on Ticket-Compare.com is Poland vs Albania at $506 but it’s not too late to get tickets on our platform!
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World Cup Ticket Prices: 2022 vs 2026
What the Draw Means for World Cup 2026 Tickets
How to Transfer World Cup 2026 Tickets
Why Are World Cup 2026 Tickets So Expensive?
Where to Buy World Cup 2026 Tickets
