World Cup 2026 Introduces New $60 Ticket Category for Fans of Qualified National Teams

A new option for fans

FIFA has recently announced the creation of a new ticket category for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, known as “basic grandstand”, with a fixed price of $60 USD. The main objective of this initiative is to make it easier for fans of qualified national teams to attend matches during the tournament.

This new category will be available for all 104 matches of the World Cup, including the final, making it the most affordable official ticket option offered so far.

Tickets reserved for national team supporters

Basic grandstand tickets will be exclusively reserved for fans of qualified national teams. Each participating member association will be responsible for the allocation and distribution of these tickets, establishing its own criteria to ensure they reach the most loyal supporters of each national side.

According to FIFA, 50% of the total ticket allocation assigned to member associations will fall under affordable categories:

• 40% for affordable grandstand tickets

• 10% for the new basic grandstand category

The remaining tickets will be distributed between standard and premium seating categories.

Historic demand for World Cup tickets

The announcement comes amid unprecedented global demand. FIFA confirmed that during the current random selection phase, more than 20 million ticket requests have already been submitted, highlighting the massive interest surrounding the World Cup, which will be hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Interest has continued to grow following the release of the official match schedule, venues, and kickoff times.

Application process and fan benefits

The random selection process will remain open until Tuesday, January 13 at 11:00 a.m. ET, and FIFA clarified that the timing of the application within the window does not affect the chances of selection.

Additionally, fans who apply for tickets through their national federation and whose team fails to advance beyond the group stage will not be charged an administrative fee if their ticket request is unsuccessful.

A more inclusive World Cup

With this initiative, FIFA reinforces its commitment to making the 2026 World Cup more accessible and inclusive, allowing more fans to support their national teams without ticket prices becoming a barrier.

As a non-profit organization, FIFA reiterated that revenue generated from the World Cup will be reinvested into the development of men’s, women’s, and youth football across its 211 member associations worldwide.