The 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket application process for the random draw portion of the proceedings opened on December 11 and will run through January 13, 2026.

Those who are part of official supporters groups of host or qualified nations will get a code in their email that allows them to get special access to apply for supporter specific tickets.

Everyone else can enter the random draw and pick up to four tickets for pretty much any game.

I’ve put my application(s) in for tickets to the Canada opener at BMO Field in Toronto, plus a couple of other matches, including knockout round matches in Vancouver.

I did find it interesting that when I attempted to apply to purchase knockout round tickets on the same day in two different cities, it wouldn’t let me because it contradicted the other game. So, I had to choose which one I would prefer to go to.

Of course, I was hoping to get both and sell one to go to the other. But, FIFA is obviously aware of those tactics and has put a failsafe in place.

The process was pretty easy, all you need is a valid email and to register for a FIFA ID (I already had one), and then pick the games. There are three to four categories available, depending on the stadium, with Category 1 seats being the most expensive and descending values from there.

Tickets to the home opener in Toronto on June 12 were going for $1,200 a piece for Category 3, while tickets to the knockout rounds and even matches like Croatia-Panama were around $300 for the same category.

I went into this thinking, if possible, I’ll just apply for tickets to the World Cup final and nothing else. The final takes place on July 19 in New York.

Of course, the combination of three matches I applied for (two times two tickets, one times four tickets) was over $1,000 cheaper than the cheapest single seat for the final.

As someone who still plays, coached youth soccer for over 15 years, and was on my local club board for almost two decades, it was quite disheartening to see the prices for the World Cup Final.

I was willing to put my name in the hat for up to $1,000 or even $1,500 a ticket (and take my beautiful wife with me), but the seats were so far out of that budget, it was ridiculous. So much for catering to real fans.

Already the regular prices for even the “least desirable” matches are out of reach for many, many families in North America, but to even price out the middle and upper middle class in the showcase event is despicably greedy.

That being said, I’m positive the stadiums will be filled to brim and the resale market (being controlled by FIFA itself to protect the buyers) will be fruitful for those looking to make a quick buck.

Those wanting to get in on the application act can visit: https://www.fifa.com/en/tickets

That’s it for me! Ciao for Now!