The ticket window for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to open. Here's how it works

Buying tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to take patience, research and a lot of luck. And the ticket window is about to begin.

From Sept. 10-19, Visa cardholders can enter a pre-sale draw covering all 104 games for the expanded 48-team tournament, which is being co-hosted by Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

The FIFA lottery is worldwide, with the pre-sale — Visa is a FIFA World Cup partner — to be followed by "multiple additional" ticket phases.

It is one of three ways Canadians can get tickets.

In addition to hospitality packages (already available), which range in price from $2,500 for a single-game package to the sky's the limit for bespoke experiences, Canadians will also be able to enter a separate lottery for a shot at Canada Soccer's ticket allotment for Canada's games. To do that, you have to be a member of the CanadaRed supporters group, with details on timing to come.

WATCH | Canada coach Jesse Marsch on preparations for Romania, Wales:

Jesse Marsch tells all: Canada’s current state in soccer & what’s next

When the Visa pre-sale window closes, a random draw will be held. Those applicants lucky enough to be drawn will be notified by email by Sept. 29, complete with a dedicated date and time slot (from Oct. 1 to 21) to go online and buy tickets, subject to availability.

Those interested in the pre-sale have to first register with FIFA, be 18 or older (and have a Visa card). Other payment options are allowed for subsequent ticket windows.

The cheapest ticket for group-stage matches will be $82, the lowest of four price categories — and farthest from the field. That ranges all the way to $9,200 for the most expensive ticket for the championship game.

FIFA cautions, however, that these are the prices at