2026 World Cup Tickets: Last Chance to Buy – Prices Soar, France vs. Iraq Still Available

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, hopeful fans still seeking tickets have one last opportunity. With just two months remaining until the tournament kicks off, FIFA has released over three million tickets for sale, a final push to fill stadiums across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This sales phase is slated to continue through the tournament’s conclusion on July 19th.

The latest ticket release began Wednesday on the official FIFA website – FIFA.com/tickets – operating on a “first come, first served” basis, according to a FIFA statement. Tickets will develop into available incrementally, including options for matches on the day of the game, FIFA confirmed.

Accessing these final tickets requires patience. Prospective buyers are directed to a virtual “waiting room” and must queue online. Reports indicate wait times stretched for several hours immediately after the site opened. And speed – and financial resources – are crucial, as sessions automatically close after 20 minutes.

Remaining Tickets for France vs. Iraq and More

As of Wednesday evening, 242 tickets were available for the France versus Iraq match on June 22nd in Philadelphia, priced at $430 (approximately €373). The United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12th in Los Angeles carried a significantly higher price tag, ranging from $1,940 (approximately €1,680) for Category 2 seats to $2,735 (€2,373) for Category 1.

Matches featuring Iran, in both Los Angeles and Seattle, were priced between $140 (€121) and $500 (€434). England’s clash with Croatia on June 17th in Dallas still had 450 tickets available for $310 (€269). The opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11th had the least expensive remaining tickets at $1,410 (€1,220), a price increase from the $895 (€778) during the previous sales phase.

Tickets for France’s matches against Senegal and Norway, as well as all games featuring Argentina and Brazil, were not currently available. This scarcity underscores the high demand for those particular contests.

Responding to concerns about rising prices, a FIFA spokesperson explained that pricing is “variable,” fluctuating based on the match and overall demand. “Some tickets may be at the same price, for others the prices may change,” the spokesperson added.

In total, nearly seven million tickets are being made available for the tournament. Over three million have already been sold through the first three phases, including more than one million during the lottery-based phase in January and February, according to FIFA.

FIFA anticipates surpassing the historical record of 3.5 million tickets sold for a World Cup, set during the 1994 tournament in the United States. However, this year’s tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada (June 11th to July 19th), will be the first to feature 48 teams and a total of 104 matches, with 78 games taking place on American soil.

Ticket Resale Platform Opens Amidst Controversy

The ticket sales have not been without controversy. FIFA has faced criticism for allegedly implementing exorbitant prices, seemingly disregarding promises made during the bidding process for the tournament.

In late March, the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) organization and Euroconsumers, a consumer representation group, filed a complaint with the European Commission, alleging anti-competitive practices and “opaque and unfair” purchasing procedures.

FIFA defended the pricing structure, attributing it to “insane” demand – reportedly over 500 million requests in January and February, according to President Gianni Infantino. FIFA did reserve $60 tickets for official supporters clubs, but the FSE stated that this quota was nearly exhausted before the general public sales began.

For fans seeking tickets to support their teams but finding matches sold out, the official FIFA resale and exchange platform reopened Thursday. However, this platform has also drawn criticism for its similarly high prices.

FIFA clarified that it does not intervene in this “fan-to-fan” market, where the seller determines the price in Canada and the United States. Regulations differ in Mexico, where reselling tickets for more than their original price is generally prohibited, though inflated prices still appear online.

The 2026 World Cup represents a significant expansion of the tournament, both in terms of participating nations and the number of matches. This increased scale, coupled with high demand, has created a challenging environment for fans hoping to secure tickets. The final sales phase offers a last chance, but requires both diligence and a willingness to navigate a competitive and often expensive market.

What’s Next: The FIFA resale platform remains open, offering a potential avenue for fans to acquire tickets. Keep an eye on FIFA.com/tickets for updates and availability.

Have you been trying to get tickets for the 2026 World Cup? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!