If you’re looking to get your hands on FIFA World Cup tickets for next year, you’re “almost there.”
At least, that’s the message you might get when entering the first presale draw for next year’s event, which went live today in North America and around the world.
Entry for the FIFA World Cup ticket lottery opened at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT. The men’s World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 2026, with Toronto and Vancouver the two Canadian host cities.
In our own experience, the whole process took just under an hour.
Joining the queue moments after it opened via both a mobile device and a laptop, we were met with a spinning circle and a message that said “almost there” for upwards of 30 minutes before a 20-minute countdown timer appeared.
Still waiting… (FIFA.com)
To enter the draw, you must be the cardholder (primary or secondary) of a valid, unexpired Visa debit card, credit card, or reloadable prepaid card enabled with 3D Secure, as the draw is run in conjunction with FIFA partner Visa.
Potential buyers can go to FIFA’s website to register for the draw and will be asked to create an account or log in to their previously existing one. Once through the lengthy queue, fans will be asked to fill out a comprehensive form that will allow them to enter a lottery system to hopefully secure their seats for the World Cup.
After filling out a standard personal information form (which may be pre-filled if your FIFA profile is updated), users are then prompted to select their team of choice, which cities they’re interested in tickets for, and then submit credit card information ahead of the draw.
Once the series of windows has been clicked through, fans will see this text:
“Thank you for submitting your entry. A random selection draw will take place, which will determine if you are successful in being selected to purchase tickets. Regardless of the outcome, you will be notified about the results of the draw.”
Success (FIFA.com)
If you’re stuck in the queue now, it might just be worth trying again shortly.
The good news is that entry for the draw remains open until Sept. 19, with the results of the draw being announced on or before Sept. 29. For the sign-up stage, no priority is given to earlier entrants in the actual results of the random draw.
What were other fans experiencing?
As expected, social media users weren’t exactly having the best time with the queue.
Has this convoluted World Cup Fifa Visa presale thing actually worked for anyone yet?
I would love to buy tickets, but have to enter a waiting room for a lottery for a presale for a random draw for a CHANCE to be entered to win an opportunity to buy tickets 😵💫 pic.twitter.com/eu9zGPNHX1
— Bijan Todd (@bijan_todd) September 10, 2025
Some fans reported that the site crashed, while almost everyone experienced the on-screen red wheel spinning seemingly endlessly before the countdown began.
First day to register for World Cup tickets and the entire FIFA site crashed. OF COURSE, @FIFAWorldCup.
— Matthew (@RealMBB) September 10, 2025
What happens if you win the FIFA World Cup ticket draw?
Winners of the initial draw will be invited to purchase tickets at a specific later time slot starting Oct. 1, on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to availability).
After signing up, fans are also notified that simply winning the draw doesn’t guarantee access to tickets.
While a full list of prices has yet to be revealed, FIFA has announced that the cheapest group-stage tickets for World Cup matches will start at US$60 (C$82).
This initial presale is expected to include roughly one million tickets. Fans lucky enough to win the draw can purchase up to four tickets per game for up to 10 matches.
There are two more draws remaining, as well as the Canada Soccer-specific draw for their home matches. The next public draw will take place from Oct. 27 to 31, with the final draw taking place Dec. 5.
Full details can be found via the FIFA website of the remaining draws.
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