FIFA has announced the start of the fourth and final phase of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup, which began on Wednesday. The organization did not specify the number of tickets available for sale. This phase represents a final opportunity for fans to obtain tickets for the tournament that will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to FIFA's statement, this sales phase is considered "last-minute," having opened at 17:00 Central European Time (15:00 GMT) via FIFA's official website. The organization confirmed that tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis until the competition concludes on July 19.
Event Details
During this phase, buyers were directed to a "waiting" page to queue until they could access the site. FIFA explained that a countdown timer would be displayed before allowing entry, with the entry button available for 5 minutes after the countdown ends. Tickets will be released for sale gradually, including some matches occurring on the same day.
In the previous sales phase, which utilized a random selection mechanism, over one million tickets were sold, while more than 500 million requests were submitted. Overall, FIFA expects to sell around 7 million tickets, considering the capacity of the sixteen stadiums that will host the tournament.
Background & Context
The issue of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup has been controversial, with FIFA facing criticism over high prices, which contradict the promises made when awarding the hosting rights to the three host countries. The European Football Supporters' Association (FSE) announced it has filed a lawsuit against FIFA before the European Commission, demanding the cancellation of "opaque and unfair" purchasing procedures.
In defense of ticket prices, FIFA President Gianni Infantino pointed out that prices were set based on "crazy" demand. However, FIFA created a category of tickets priced at $60 designated for official fan groups, but according to the Football Supporters' Association, these allocations were exhausted before the public sale opened.
Impact & Consequences
This issue is expected to affect FIFA's reputation, especially as criticism continues regarding the management of the ticket sales process. Additionally, high prices may exclude a large segment of fans, raising questions about accessibility to the tournament. Furthermore, the lawsuit filed against FIFA could open the door for further investigations into ticket sales practices.
In a related context, FIFA will reopen the official ticket resale and exchange platform, which has also faced criticism due to exorbitant prices. FIFA clarified that it does not intervene in this "fan-to-fan market," where sellers set the price for each ticket listed.
Regional Significance
The World Cup is a significant event globally, including in Arab countries. Many Arab fans are eager to attend the matches, especially with the possibility of Arab teams qualifying for the tournament. These events also boost sports tourism in the region, contributing to the enhancement of the local economy.
In conclusion, the issue of ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup remains a major point of interest, as fans look forward to their chance to attend this global sporting event.