FIFA Unveils Ticket Purchase Process for 2026 World Cup

FIFA has outlined the ticket purchasing process for the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup, revealing details to fans on Tuesday morning.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington is set to host nine matches, the highest number among the 16 venues across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Notably, four of these matches will occur during the knockout stage, including a semifinal. For those in North Texas willing to travel, NRG Stadium in Houston will feature seven games.

The tournament kicks off on Thursday, June 11, with initial matches taking place in Mexico City and Guadalajara. Arlington's first game is scheduled for Sunday, June 14.

FIFA announced that ticket sales will occur in phases due to expected high demand. Fans can enter a draw for the opportunity to purchase tickets starting September 10, 2025.

"There will be several distinct ticket sales phases from the start of sales on 10 September 2025, through to the final match on Sunday, 19 July 2026. Each phase may differ in purchasing processes, payment methods and ticket products, and full details on each phase will be released in the coming months," FIFA stated in a news release.

To stay informed about ticketing dates and processes, FIFA encourages interested fans to register on its website and create a FIFA ID. "This registration of interest ensures they are made aware of ticketing dates, next steps and processes," FIFA added.

Interestingly, attendees at World Cup games in Arlington will technically hold tickets to Dallas Stadium, as FIFA prohibits venues from using corporate sponsor names. This decision has sparked some discontent among local officials.

Arlington Mayor Jim Ross expressed his concerns regarding the naming convention. "It's not a dig against Dallas," he remarked. "It's just essential pride of the city of Arlington and what we have accomplished here in our entertainment district ... It's also an economic impact and we want to optimize our ability to take advantage of that."

The Dallas Sports Commission has assured Arlington leaders that it will address this naming issue with FIFA during the summer.