FIFA opens new draw for World Cups, with fans from co-host countries getting an edge

The 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket window is open again. And this time residents in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the co-host countries, are getting a bit of a leg up in the lottery to get tickets.

The so-called Early Ticket Draw opened Monday and runs through Friday at 11 a.m. ET, with a million tickets up for grabs. It is open to everyone but includes a “host country domestic exclusivity time-slot” for residents of Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

For Canadian fans, that means a shot at the 13 games on home soil — seven in Vancouver and six in Toronto. Mexican and U.S. fans will get a chance to buy tickets for games in their countries (13 in Mexico and 78 in the U.S.).

Those successful in the latest draw will get their shot at tickets, subject to inventory, in a 72-hour period starting Nov. 12. Fans whose entries are picked will receive confirmation at least 48 hours prior to the time-slot, FIFA says.

Seventy-five per cent of the single-match tickets for this phase will be made available during the domestic exclusivity time-slot, according to FIFA.

FIFA is using variable pricing, so those successful in the draw may be in for sticker shock.

FIFA has said the cheapest ticket for group-stage matches will be US$60, the lowest of four price categories — and farthest from the field. That ranges all the way to US$6,730 for the most expensive ticket for the championship game.

Tickets for Canada’s marquee opening game, June 12 at Toronto’s BMO Field, started at some C$500 in the first ticket phase, however. And will go for a lot more on the secondary market.

The first ticket draw, a pre-sale for Visa card holders in mid-September, saw more than a million tickets purchased. The U.S., Canada and Mexico led the way, in terms of numbers, followed by England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina and France, FIFA says.

“We already have seen massive interest from around the world for this tournament and especially from within the host countries as Canada, Mexico and the United States prepare to host the biggest FIFA World Cup yet,” Heimo Schirgi, FIFA World Cup 26 chief operating officer, said in a statement.

“This second phase, with its host country domestic exclusivity time-slot, will allow us to say thank you to these local fans, while ensuring global opportunity as well.”

Following the domestic exclusivity time-slot, domestic and global fans alike who entered the Early Ticket Draw will find out if they get a time-slot to try to buy tickets (starting Nov. 17). If selected, fans will have the chance to buy single-match and team-specific tickets for games in all three countries.

Additional tickets will be made available in subsequent phases:

— The Random Selection Draw phase, set to being following the Dec. 5 World Cup draw. During this phase, fans will be able to submit applications for specific matches with group-stage matchups revealed.

— FIFA says any remaining inventory will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis closer to the 48-team tournament that runs June 11 to July 19.

Canadian fans can also try for tickets by joining Canada Soccer’s CanadaRed supporter program, which plans to hold its own draw for access to the Canadian supporter section for Canada games.

And for those for whom money is no object, hospitality packages are also on sale.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 27, 2025