FIFA Visa Presale Draw: How lucky Visa cardholders can score World Cup tickets
Olé! The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, promising the largest tournament yet — with 48 teams participating and three host nations.
If you’re hoping to attend a match (or several) during next year’s World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, now’s your chance. The first round of ticket sales has begun — sort of.
Thanks to FIFA’s partnership with Visa, the first tickets are available exclusively to Visa cardholders. Here’s everything you need to know to snag tickets during this and future ticket drops.
Related: Best Visa credit cards
How to get tickets during the Visa Presale Draw
Fans can already purchase 2026 World Cup hospitality packages, which include match tickets, on FIFA’s site. However, buying tickets alone is a little more complicated.
The first phase of ticket purchases, the Visa Presale Draw, opened Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Why is it called a “draw” and not a “sale,” you ask? Because if you “win” the draw, you’ll get a chance to buy tickets at a later date — though there’s no guarantee tickets will be available during your assigned time slot.
The draw will close at 11:00 a.m. ET on Friday, Sept. 19. The day and time at which you enter the draw will not affect your chances of success, so don’t worry about rushing to FIFA’s site right away.
According to the site, “In order to enter the draw, you must be the cardholder (primary or secondary) in good standing of a valid, unexpired Visa debit card, credit card, or reloadable prepaid card enabled with 3D Secure.”
Unfortunately, holding the right card is just the first of many hoops you must jump through to score tickets during this round.
First, head to this page and click “Learn more” under “Tickets.”
You’ll then be asked to fill in a captcha, after which you’ll join a queue to enter the draw. That’s right, you must wait in line to put your name into a virtual hat in order to possibly win a chance to buy tickets.
While you’re waiting — or before entering the draw — be sure to register for a FIFA ID here. You’ll need it (and your eligible Visa card) when it comes time to enter the draw.
Several TPGers have tried to enter, with mixed results. Some timed out while they were in the queue. I made it through the queue after about an hour and a half, then signed in with my FIFA ID only to find an error message. One lucky editor managed to actually enter the draw with her Visa card information.
After the draw ends on Sept. 19, a randomized selection process will determine who gets a chance to buy tickets during the first phase. If successful, you’ll be notified via email on or after Sept. 29, and you’ll be given a date and time slot to purchase tickets starting Oct. 1.
During this round of sales, single-match tickets to all 104 World Cup games will be available, with group-stage tickets starting at $60. You’ll also be able to purchase venue-specific and team-specific tickets (i.e., all matches for a specific venue or team).
Related: Visa Infinite: Everything you need to know, from rental car perks to lounge access
What if I don’t have a Visa card or don’t succeed in the draw?
Since FIFA predicted high demand (accurately, based on our experience trying to enter the presale draw), they decided to release tickets in phases. If, for whatever reason, you can’t secure tickets during the presale, you’ll have an opportunity to get tickets during the later phases:
- Phase 2, Early Ticket Draw, will operate like the presale draw (except no Visa card required). The registration window is scheduled for Oct. 27-31.
- Phase 3, Random Selection Draw, will begin shortly after the tournament’s Final Draw on Dec. 5, which will reveal most group-stage matchups. Fans will be able to submit applications for specific matches.
- Closer to the tournament, any remaining inventory will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
FIFA also plans to launch an official 2026 World Cup resale platform later this year, potentially providing another avenue to get tickets.
Related: The best credit cards for sports fans
Bottom line
If FIFA’s complex ticketing process and glitchy website seem to be sucking the joy from the beautiful game, don’t despair. You have until Sept. 19 to enter the Visa Presale Draw (if you have an eligible card), and there will be more opportunities to score tickets in the coming months.
To stay up-to-date on World Cup ticketing phases, be sure to register your interest and create a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets.
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Intro offer
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Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.