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FIFA Opens 2026 World Cup Ticket Lottery After Price Reset Draws Fan Outcry

FIFA fixed higher, match-by-match prices for this phase under its variable-pricing model, leaving out the lowest category.

Overview

  • The lottery phase for individual matches is open through 13 January 2026, with equal-weighted applications and automatic billing for successful requests in February.
  • FIFA reported at least five million ticket applications in the first 24 hours of this phase, on top of roughly two million tickets sold in earlier windows.
  • Prices were reset after the draw under a variable-pricing model, with Category 1 reaching up to $700 for many group games, increases reported up to about 71 percent, and no Category 4 seats offered in this round.
  • Football Supporters Europe and other fan groups urged FIFA to halt sales and review what they call exclusionary prices, contrasting them with lower costs pledged in the 2018 bid.
  • Secondary listings show extreme markups and FIFA’s official resale carries a 15% fee, while hotel rates in host cities jumped sharply, with analyses citing average increases above 300% for major chains.