Knowing when FIFA releases World Cup tickets is half the battle. The other half is being logged in at the right moment. This page exists for one purpose: to document every exact release date for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, from the first Visa presale draw through the final inventory drops expected in July.
Need strategy, not dates? This page is a date reference. For the full sales process overview, preparation tips, and common buying mistakes, see our When Do Tickets Go on Sale guide.
Source transparency: All dates sourced from FIFA's official sales phases page and the FIFA ticketing portal. Last verified May 16, 2026.
Every FIFA 2026 Ticket Release Date at a Glance
Before diving into the details, here is the master reference. Every date FIFA opened a sales window or dropped new inventory for the 2026 World Cup, in chronological order. Bookmark this table — it is the single fastest way to check whether you missed anything or whether something is still ahead.
| Date | Phase / Event | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10, 2025 | Visa Presale Draw opens | Lottery | Closed |
| Sep 19, 2025 | Visa Presale Draw closes | Lottery | Closed |
| Oct 2, 2025 | FIFA Official Resale Platform launches | Resale | Active |
| Oct 27, 2025 | General Public Draw opens (host-country early access) | Lottery | Closed |
| Nov 17, 2025 | General Public Draw opens (global access) | Lottery | Closed |
| Dec 11, 2025 | Random Selection Draw opens | Lottery | Closed |
| Jan 13, 2026 | Random Selection Draw closes | Lottery | Closed |
| Apr 1, 2026 | Last-Minute Sales Phase opens | FCFS | Active |
| Apr 22, 2026 | Major all-104-match inventory drop | FCFS | Released |
| Jun 11, 2026 | Tournament opens (ongoing releases expected) | FCFS | Upcoming |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Final day — last possible ticket release | FCFS / Resale | Upcoming |
Two channels remain active: the Last-Minute Sales Phase (first-come, first-served at FIFA.com/tickets) and the Official FIFA Resale Platform. Everything else above has closed. For a breakdown of how to actually purchase through these channels, see our step-by-step buying guide.
Phase-by-Phase Release Calendar
Each FIFA sales phase had its own mechanics, eligibility rules, and — critically — its own release timing. Understanding how tickets were released in each phase helps you calibrate expectations for the remaining windows.
Visa Presale Draw (Sep 10-19, 2025)
The first tickets for the 2026 World Cup became available on September 10, 2025. This 10-day window was restricted to Visa cardholders who submitted applications through the FIFA ticketing portal. Applicants selected their preferred matches and seating categories, then FIFA conducted a random draw to allocate purchasing rights. Winners received confirmation emails in late September with a 72-hour payment window. This was a lottery — not first-come, first-served — so the exact moment you applied within the window did not matter.
General Public Draw (Oct 27 - Nov 17, 2025)
The largest lottery phase opened on October 27, 2025, with a two-tier access structure. Residents of the three host countries (United States, Canada, Mexico) received 72-hour early access starting October 27, with priority on roughly 75% of the 1 million tickets allocated to this phase. Global access opened on November 17, 2025, giving fans worldwide the opportunity to apply for remaining inventory. Results were communicated in batches through December, with successful applicants receiving timed purchase windows.
Random Selection Draw (Dec 11, 2025 - Jan 13, 2026)
Opening on December 11, 2025, the Random Selection Draw was the last lottery-based phase. Fans specified exact matches and seating tiers, and FIFA used a randomized algorithm to assign purchase slots. The application window closed January 13, 2026. Winners were notified in rolling batches through February. This phase included tickets across all rounds, from group stage through the Final at MetLife Stadium.
FIFA Official Resale Platform (Oct 2, 2025 - ongoing)
Launching on October 2, 2025, the resale platform created a secondary market for verified ticket transfers. Unlike the lottery phases, this channel has no defined end date — it runs throughout the tournament. New listings appear daily as fans' plans change. Every transfer processes through FIFA's official system, eliminating counterfeit risk. The platform charges a 15% service fee to both buyer and seller. For pricing context, see our ticket prices guide.
Last-Minute Sales Phase (Apr 1 - Jul 19, 2026)
The final and current phase launched on April 1, 2026. This is a pure first-come, first-served system with no application or lottery. Tickets appear on the FIFA ticketing portal as FIFA releases them, and fans purchase immediately at checkout. The most significant release within this phase occurred on April 22, 2026 (detailed below). The phase officially closes on July 19, 2026 — the date of the World Cup Final — meaning tickets will continue to be released periodically right up to the last match.
The April 22 Mass Drop: What Happened
The single largest ticket release of the Last-Minute Sales Phase occurred on April 22, 2026. FIFA opened inventory for all 104 matches simultaneously — the first time the entire tournament slate was available in one drop since the lottery phases. The release went live around 12:00 CET (6:00 AM Eastern Time).
Within the first hour, high-demand matches — particularly knockout rounds and the Final — experienced heavy traffic on the FIFA portal. Group-stage matches in less prominent venues had stronger availability throughout the day. Reports from fans indicated that some Category 1 tickets for semifinal and Final matches sold out within minutes, while Category 3 and Category 4 options for group-stage fixtures remained available for several days.
Key takeaway from April 22
The drop confirmed that FIFA holds back significant inventory for the last-minute phase. Fans who missed the lotteries were still able to secure tickets to marquee matches — but speed mattered. If you are waiting for a future drop, have your FIFA account loaded, payment method saved, and browser open before the release window.
The April 22 drop also covered all three host countries equally. Matches in Mexico, the United States, and Canada all received new allocations. For fans focused on specific venues or budget-friendly options, our cheap tickets guide breaks down which cities and categories offer the best value.
Final Release Windows
With the tournament opening on June 11, 2026, and the Last-Minute Sales Phase running through July 19, 2026, there are roughly two months of potential release activity remaining. FIFA has not published a fixed calendar for future drops within this phase, but patterns from the April release and historical precedent suggest several windows to monitor.
Pre-Tournament Drops (Now through June 10)
FIFA typically releases additional inventory as the tournament approaches. These drops tend to include returned tickets from sponsors, federations, and hospitality allocations that were not fully utilized. Expect periodic releases — possibly weekly — in the weeks leading up to June 11. These are not announced in advance, which makes regular monitoring essential.
During the Tournament (June 11 - July 19)
Once the World Cup begins, ticket releases shift to a different rhythm. Tickets for upcoming match days may appear with short notice as FIFA reallocates unsold inventory from eliminated teams' supporter quotas and corporate returns. Historically, some of the best last-minute availability occurs during the group stage, when fans of eliminated or underperforming teams release their knockout-round tickets through the resale platform.
Knockout-round releases
After the group stage concludes, FIFA typically opens a short window for knockout-round tickets that were held pending match assignments. Once matchups are confirmed, these tickets become available on the portal.
Final-week inventory
The last week of the tournament often sees a final push of inventory for the semifinal and Final matches. These are among the most scarce tickets in world sport — for a deeper look, see our World Cup Final tickets guide.
How to Track New Ticket Releases
FIFA does not offer a push notification system for ticket drops. There is no email alert, no SMS, and no in-app notification that tells you the moment new inventory goes live. This means fans need to build their own monitoring routine. Here is what works.
Check FIFA.com/tickets daily
The most reliable method is also the simplest. Log into the official FIFA ticket portal at least once a day, ideally around 12:00 CET (6:00 AM ET), which is when past releases have tended to go live. Browse the match list and check whether any matches show new availability that was not there the day before.
Follow FIFA's official social channels
FIFA occasionally announces major ticket releases on their social platforms. The April 22 drop, for example, was highlighted on FIFA's channels shortly after it went live. While this is not a substitute for checking the portal directly, it provides secondary confirmation of large-scale releases.
Monitor CupIntel match pages
Our match pages track ticket availability status across all 104 fixtures. When new inventory appears for a specific match, we update the listing. This gives you a consolidated view without having to click through every match on the FIFA portal individually.
Set calendar reminders
Based on the pattern so far, set recurring daily reminders around 12:00 CET. Additionally, mark these dates specifically: the first day of the tournament (June 11), the day after the group stage concludes, and the day knockout matchups are confirmed. These are historically high-probability windows for fresh inventory.
For guidance on purchasing safely once you find available tickets, see our safe buying guide.
Release Date Patterns from Past World Cups
The 2026 tournament is unprecedented in scale — 48 teams, 104 matches, three countries — but FIFA's ticket release cadence follows patterns established over multiple cycles. Understanding these patterns helps predict what may happen in the weeks ahead.
Russia 2018
FIFA operated four distinct sales phases for the 2018 World Cup, with the first window opening in September 2017 — roughly nine months before the tournament. A last-minute sales phase launched in April 2018, and inventory continued to appear through the final matchday. Crucially, significant ticket batches were released after the group stage when knockout matchups were confirmed.
Qatar 2022
The Qatar cycle compressed timelines due to the November-December schedule. Sales phases opened in early 2022, with a last-minute phase beginning in September 2022. FIFA released notable inventory waves in October and November 2022, including tickets for matches that had been fully allocated during earlier lotteries. The resale platform was particularly active during the tournament itself, as fans adjusted plans based on their teams' results.
What this means for 2026
The 2026 cycle is following the same structural pattern: lottery phases early, first-come-first-served later, with the resale platform bridging the two. If history holds, expect continued drops through June, increased resale activity once the tournament starts, and a final pulse of inventory in the last two weeks. The expanded format (104 matches versus 64 in 2022) means the total ticket volume is substantially higher, which could translate to better last-minute availability than fans experienced in previous cycles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket release dates?
The key dates are: Visa Presale Draw (Sep 10-19, 2025), General Public Draw (Oct 27 - Nov 17, 2025), Random Selection Draw (Dec 11, 2025 - Jan 13, 2026), FIFA Official Resale Platform (Oct 2, 2025 - ongoing), Last-Minute Sales Phase (Apr 1 - Jul 19, 2026), and the major all-match inventory drop on April 22, 2026.
Are there more ticket releases coming before the World Cup starts?
Yes. The Last-Minute Sales Phase runs through July 19, 2026 — the date of the Final. FIFA periodically releases new inventory throughout this window. Additional drops are expected as the tournament progresses, particularly when returned or reallocated tickets become available.
What time do FIFA ticket drops usually go live?
FIFA has historically released new ticket inventory around 12:00 CET (6:00 AM ET / 3:00 AM PT). However, not every release follows this pattern exactly. Some drops have gone live without advance notice, making regular monitoring essential.
How many tickets were released on April 22, 2026?
The April 22 drop was the single largest release of the Last-Minute Sales Phase, covering all 104 matches across all three host countries. FIFA did not disclose an exact ticket count, but the release included significant inventory across every seating category from group stage through the Final.
Can I get notified when new World Cup tickets are released?
FIFA does not offer an official notification system for new ticket drops. The most reliable approach is checking FIFA.com/tickets regularly, following FIFA's official social channels, and monitoring CupIntel's match pages where we track inventory status in real time.
Ready to buy? Know the process.
Now that you have the release calendar, make sure you know exactly how the purchasing process works so you can move fast when new tickets drop.
The lottery phases, last-minute sales phase, and resale activity are preserved here as historical ticket context for the 2026 tournament. For step-by-step purchasing context, read our complete buying guide. For pricing across all categories, see the ticket prices breakdown.