FIFA has initiated the sale of an additional one million tickets for the upcoming World Cup, entering the second phase of ticket sales by commencing a new draw on Monday. This draw, running until 11 a.m. Eastern on Friday, features a special time slot exclusively for residents of the three host countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Fans from these host nations selected in the draw will have the opportunity to purchase single-match tickets for games held within their respective countries.
The ticket sale phase is open to all fans worldwide, not limited by their country of residence. Heimo Schirgi, the tournament’s chief operating officer, expressed enthusiasm for the global interest in the World Cup, particularly from the host countries. This second phase, with its domestic exclusivity time slot, aims to acknowledge and reward local fans while ensuring a global reach.
Fans from the U.S, Canada, and Mexico participating in the draw before its closure on Friday stand a chance to secure a time slot, randomly assigned by FIFA, to purchase tickets starting on November 12. These time slots will be allocated until November 15, with winners notified at least 48 hours prior to their purchasing window.
In the initial ticketing phase, residents of the host countries – the U.S., Canada, and Mexico – led ticket purchases, followed by fans from England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France. Following the domestic exclusivity period, additional fans can vie for purchasing slots starting on November 17, with more tickets set to be released in subsequent phases, according to FIFA.
As of earlier this month, over one million tickets have been sold for the World Cup, with buyers hailing from 212 countries and territories. 28 out of the 48 team slots for the tournament have been filled. The upcoming phases of ticket sales will offer more opportunities for fans worldwide to secure their place at the highly anticipated event.
The World Cup organizers are gearing up for a big event, with unique considerations for attendees, including visa requirements for visiting the U.S. amidst stricter immigration policies. Notably, an international friendly match featuring Argentina and Puerto Rico was relocated from Chicago to Fort Lauderdale due to sluggish ticket sales, possibly influenced by the immigration regulations.
With approximately 7.1 million seats available across 16 North American venues for the 104 matches, the distribution of these seats to the public remains uncertain. Ticket pricing varies, with lower-priced seats at $60 for select matches, while premium seats for certain games can reach prices exceeding $2,000. Fans can choose seats from different categories, with costs expected to fluctuate as dynamic pricing mechanisms are implemented for the tournament.
