With just over a month until the 2026 World Cup kicks off on June 11, tickets for most group-stage matches are still on general sale—but fans will need deep pockets to snag them. Prices remain sky-high, with the most expensive ticket topping out at a staggering $4,105 for the United States' opening game against Paraguay in Los Angeles. Many other matches are priced around the $2,000 mark.
FIFA's official website continues to offer tickets through its "last-minute sales" section, following multiple release phases that began last September. The cheapest available seats currently cost $380, covering seven different games—including the tournament debut of Curacao against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia.
Ticket prices vary significantly by category, with Front Category 1 being the priciest and Category 4 the most budget-friendly. However, the pricing structure can feel inconsistent: a Category 3 ticket for USA vs. Paraguay is listed at $1,120, while a Category 2 ticket for Austria vs. Jordan costs just $380. Adding to the complexity, FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time at a World Cup, meaning prices can shift based on demand.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has described ticket demand for this year's tournament—hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—as "the equivalent of 1,000 years of World Cups at once," predicting all 104 matches will sell out. While only a handful of tickets remain for some games, fans willing to pay premium prices can still secure seats for powerhouse nations like defending champion Argentina, Brazil, Spain, France, and England. For example, tickets to see Lionel Messi's Argentina range from $2,475 to $2,925, while Brazil matches cost between $2,280 and $2,310.
Despite FIFA's confidence, the pricing strategy has drawn sharp criticism from fans, who have labeled it a "monumental betrayal." The governing body has repeatedly defended its approach, but frustration has only grown as more expensive ticket categories have been added closer to the tournament. Many of the seats still available on general sale fall into these higher-priced tiers. Meanwhile, resale platforms—including FIFA's own marketplace—offer alternatives, with four seats for the World Cup final recently listed at jaw-dropping prices.