Understanding the FIFA World Cup 2026 Ticket Lottery (And Why Some Fans Will Still Choose SeatGeek)

Another major milestone in the lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is here. Starting tomorrow through January 11, fans will be able to enter the next phase of FIFA's official ticketing process: a true lottery for individual match tickets.

If you followed the earlier resales, this phase will look very different. Previously, fans entered a drawing to access the sale, and if selected, they could hop in and buy any match they wanted. This new phase flips that model on its head.

How This Ticket Lottery Works

During the window that opens tomorrow, fans will enter FIFA's ticketing portal and preselect the exact match and ticket category they want. You won't be purchasing tickets—you're submitting a request. Once the window closes on January 11, FIFA will run a randomized lottery in February, and only then will you find out if your request was successful. Winners will have their credit cards automatically charged.

This shift means a few things for fans:

1. We'll finally see updated FIFA pricing

Now that the official draw and schedule are set, this phase should reveal how FIFA has adjusted face values across matches and categories. Many fans (and industry watchers) will be paying close attention to how these updated prices compare to what's currently happening on the secondary market.

2. You won't know if you have tickets until February

Anyone entering the draw will spend the next several weeks in limbo. That means no guaranteed seats for the match you want until FIFA runs the lottery. For many supporters planning travel, accommodations or once-in-a-lifetime family trips, that uncertainty can be tough.

This dynamic will also impact the secondary market. On one hand, millions of fans may wait to see if they win before they look elsewhere. On the other hand, there's a growing group of fans who simply don't want to wait and prefer guaranteed seating now.

3. Timing your submission doesn't change your odds

From a fan standpoint, there is no advantage to entering the lottery on Day 1 versus early January. Still, if the patterns from earlier insoles hold, we expect to see spikes in activity at both the start and the end of the window.

So What Should Fans Do?

The lottery is a great option if you're comfortable waiting...and potentially not winning the tickets you want.

But if you want to know today that you have real, confirmed seats for the match you care about? Then the simplest path is to skip the uncertainty and secure your tickets now on SeatGeek.

You'll see your options instantly, compare prices upfront, and lock in seats without waiting for February or crossing your fingers for luck.

How to Buy World Cup Tickets on SeatGeek

Buying World Cup tickets on SeatGeek is straightforward and fast. Just search for the match you want, filter by date, city, or team, and browse all available listings in once place. Every ticket on SeatGeek is verified, and you can compare prices across seating categories to find the option that fits your budget and view. Once you check out, your tickets are confirmed instantly—no waiting, no uncertainly, no lottery.