2026 FIFA World Cup fever is building in Miami, one of the host cities for the global tournament set to kick off in June 2026 and run through July across North America.
FIFA estimates that more than 500 million people worldwide are interested in attending matches. Only a fraction will secure tickets.
While a limited number of tickets have already been released, FIFA is expected to open additional sales in April on a first-come, first-served basis. As demand increases, experts say the resale market will likely surge.
Ben Kruger, chief marketing officer for Event Tickets Center, an online resale marketplace, said buyers who miss out on primary ticket sales often turn to secondary platforms.
“That’s when we start to see a bit of an explosion in the market because people who didn’t get tickets are going to be turning and looking at a variety of places to get tickets,” Kruger said.
He advises consumers to carefully vet any resale site before making a purchase.
Legitimate platforms, he said, should offer a 100% guarantee that buyers will receive valid tickets or a refund. He also recommends choosing companies with customer support and that have an established track record.
“Look up the website. Have they been in business for more than a year? Do they have a substantial amount of customer reviews, official partnerships with leagues or teams?” Kruger said.
How you pay can also affect your protection if something goes wrong.
Experts recommend using a credit card, which may offer dispute protection. Buyers should avoid sellers who request payment through peer-to-peer platforms such as Zelle or Venmo, or via cryptocurrency.
“If someone is asking you to pay with Zelle, Venmo or crypto, that’s definitely a red flag,” Kruger said.
FIFA requires all tickets not purchased directly through its official app to be transferred into the app before fans can enter the stadium.
Kruger said legitimate resale tickets will ultimately be delivered through the official FIFA app using its built-in transfer system.
“They have built-in features for ticket transfers to friends, to family, if you’re selling them,” he said. “Any tickets that you’re purchasing on a legitimate marketplace will eventually be transferred to you in that official FIFA app.”
To combat fraud, FIFA has said seat assignments will not be finalized before May 2026. Some fans may see seat numbers and barcodes appear in the app earlier, but tickets may not be fully delivered until 24 to 48 hours before kickoff.
“So if you buy a ticket today, you will probably be wondering where your ticket is,” Kruger said. “It’s all part of the process … they will be coming 24 to 48 hours before the event in the official FIFA app.”
Resale prices can fluctuate dramatically based on demand. For the first match at Hard Rock Stadium, tickets are currently listed on secondary markets ranging from about $600 to $16,000.
Fans who can purchase tickets directly from FIFA will typically pay face value, which is often significantly less than resale prices.