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NewsMarch 25, 2026

500 Million Ticket Requests. One Last Round.

Over 500 million ticket requests have been submitted for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament is oversubscribed more than 30 times over. Seventy-seven of the 104 matches have received over a million requests each.

And on April 1 at 11:00 AM ET, the fourth and final sales phase opens to the general public. First come, first served.

This is not a lottery. This is not a random draw. This is a race.

What You Need to Know

The last-minute sales phase launches on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET (5:00 PM CET) on FIFA.com/tickets. Unlike the previous three phases, there is no application window — tickets are released on a rolling basis and sold immediately upon payment.

Here is how it works:

  • First come, first served. No draw, no waiting period. If you see it and buy it, it is yours.
  • Seat selection available. You can pick your exact seat from a map or use the "Book the best seat" feature.
  • Rolling releases. New tickets will be added throughout the tournament, including same-day match tickets when available.
  • Stays open until the end. The phase runs from April 1 through the final on July 19.

The previous phases used a random selection draw, where over 500 million requests competed for roughly 7 million total tickets across all 104 matches. If you missed those rounds, this is your last official shot through FIFA.

The $60 Supporter Entry Tier

One detail worth highlighting: FIFA introduced a $60 Supporter Entry tier available for every match in the tournament, including the final. That is the most affordable category and is designed to keep the World Cup accessible. Whether it will survive the first-come rush on April 1 is another question — set your alarm.

Atlanta Is Hosting 8 Matches

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta hosts eight matches, including a semifinal. That is five group stage matches and three knockout rounds, right in our backyard.

Here is the full Atlanta schedule:

  • June 15 — Spain vs. Cabo Verde (Group H)
  • June 18 — South Africa vs. TBD (Group A)
  • June 21 — Spain vs. Saudi Arabia (Group H)
  • June 24 — Morocco vs. Haiti (Group C)
  • June 27 — Uzbekistan vs. TBD (Group K)
  • July 1 — TBD vs. TBD (Round of 32)
  • July 7 — TBD vs. TBD (Round of 16)
  • July 15 — TBD vs. TBD (Semifinal)

Spain alone plays twice in Atlanta, and they are training in Chattanooga this summer. Morocco, South Africa, Haiti, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde, and Uzbekistan all bring their own massive fan bases. The knockout rounds could feature anyone.

What to Do Right Now

Before April 1:

  1. Create a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets if you do not have one. You will need it to buy.
  2. Set an alarm for 11:00 AM ET on April 1. Have the site loaded and ready. This will move fast.
  3. Know which matches you want. Check the Atlanta match schedule and have your top picks ranked. If your first choice sells out, you need a backup ready.
  4. Check visa requirements. A match ticket does not guarantee entry into the United States. International travelers should confirm visa status well in advance.

On April 1:

  • Be on FIFA.com/tickets at 11:00 AM ET sharp.
  • Select your match, pick your seats, and complete payment immediately. Confirmation is instant.
  • If your match is not available yet, check back — tickets are released on a rolling basis.

After April 1:

  • The Resale and Exchange Marketplace reopens on April 2 for existing ticket holders. If you already have tickets and want to swap or resell, that is your window.
  • Keep checking back through the tournament. Same-day tickets may become available for matches as the event progresses.

Can't Get Tickets? Watch It Here.

Let's be honest — with 500 million requests and 7 million tickets, most fans will not get in. But that does not mean you miss the World Cup.

Chattanooga is two hours from Atlanta and we are building the best watch party experience in the Southeast. Local bars, big screens, outdoor viewing, and a community of fans from every country playing in Atlanta.

Sign up for watch party updates and help us shape where and how Chattanooga watches the World Cup. Pick your teams, vote on neighborhoods, and be the first to know when venues are announced.

En Español → /registro

The World Cup is coming to our backyard. Whether you are inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium or watching from a packed bar on the Southside, this summer is going to be something Chattanooga has never seen before.

Set your alarm. April 1. 11:00 AM.

Sources