World Cup 2026 Ticket Prices: The most expensive tournament in football history

Last Updated on 16 May 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11, running through July 19 across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

It is the biggest tournament in the history of the sport: 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host nations for the first time ever. But for fans dreaming of attending in person, there is a catch that no amount of footballing romance can soften.

This is, by a significant distance, the most expensive World Cup ever staged.

From Trump to fans: Everyone is talking about the price

From the moment FIFA opened sales in late 2025, the price tags triggered a wave of disbelief that has only grown louder as the tournament approaches. Average resale prices sit at $1,603 apiece, with the final in New Jersey commanding an average of $16,094 on secondary market.

Even official face-value tickets start at $120 for general fans, nearly double the cheapest tickets at Qatar 2022, while a Category 1 seat at the final will set you back $7,875 before FIFA’s 15% service fee. For context, the same ticket at the 2022 final cost roughly a quarter of that.

The game is increasingly becoming the billionaire’s game, and almost everyone, including the President of the USA, has something to say about it. “I didn’t know that number.” Trump admitted. “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest.”

The remarks landed hard because of their source. Trump is a self-described billionaire and a close ally of Gianni Infantino, the man who handed him a golden World Cup ticket in the Oval Office last year. The optics of even Trump balking at prices prompted a viral reaction online.

One fan said: “You know it’s bad when even a billionaire wouldn’t pay that ridiculous price tag.” Another wrote: “World’s gone mad, I’m agreeing with Donnie.” The England Supporters Travel Club estimated, via ESPN, that a supporter following England all the way to the final could need close to $14,000 for tickets and basic expenses, not including flights or hotels.

Where and how to buy World Cup 2026 tickets

The major lottery phases are over, but tickets are still available. Here is how to find them.

The Last-Minute Sales Phase launched on April 1 and runs right through to the end of the tournament. Unlike the earlier lottery rounds, this phase is first-come, first-served with instant confirmation. Head to FIFA.com/tickets, register or log in to your FIFA ID, save your payment details in advance, and check back frequently.

If FIFA’s direct inventory is sold out for the match you want, the official resale platform at FIFA.com/tickets is your next and safest stop. It reopened on April 2 and remains open until one hour before each match kicks off. Talking about prices, here are some expensive stars who won’t even make the starting XI.

Also, to keep yourself updated on all that you need to know about the format and the dates of the World Cup 2026, don’t forget to visit our coverage.

For fans who cannot find what they need through official channels, secondary platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek carry live World Cup 2026 listings. StubHub’s FanProtect guarantee covers the transaction, but it does not protect you if FIFA cancels the ticket at the stadium gate, a real risk FIFA explicitly warns about for tickets obtained outside official platforms.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.