FIFA says the first million World Cup 2026 tickets are already gone, snapped up during the Visa presale draw by fans from 212 countries. Mexico is in that early rush, with the opener set for Mexico City next June. If you missed out, the following sales window opens on October 27 with another lottery. We break down what’s actually available in Mexico—how many matches in each city, when they’re played, and how to buy safely without getting burned by resellers.
FIFA says the first significant marker for 2026 is in: over one million tickets are sold after its Visa Presale Draw, with buyers from 212 countries and territories. Demand is led by residents of the three host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—followed by England, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, and France. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
For Mexico, the headline isn’t just the milestone—it’s where and how many games you can actually attend. Mexico will host 13 matches across Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca—branded by FIFA as “Mexico City Stadium”—gets five games, including the opening match on June 11, 2026. Guadalajara and Monterrey each host four group matches.
How to get World Cup 2026 tickets
If you struck out in the presale, another shot is coming: FIFA says the Early Ticket Draw entry period opens on October 27, 2025. This phase operates as a lottery rather than a first-come, first-served queue. FIFA has also rolled out an official resale platform and dynamic pricing, allowing inventory to move and prices to change. The only safe way to buy or resell is through FIFA’s ticketing portal.
In practical terms, that means Mexican fans should now decide which city and dates work best for them and then enter the draw with flexible preferences. Azteca’s opener will be the hottest ticket on the map; Guadalajara’s four group games offer more paths into the tournament; Monterrey mixes group action and a Round of 32 slot, giving fans a knockout-stage option without crossing the border.
Mexico’s three venues will feel different. Azteca is history in concrete—the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches. Guadalajara (Estadio Akron, listed as “Guadalajara Stadium”) is a modern bowl that keeps noise in and sightlines clean. Monterrey (Estadio BBVA, listed as “Monterrey Stadium”) sits under the mountains and is tailor-made for a night match. Those sponsor-neutral names on FIFA’s site may look odd, but they’re standard for the event.
Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey: what to expect
Expect higher-than-usual hotel rates, sold-out peak dates, and heavier airport traffic. Mexican officials and industry forecasts point to several million visitors during the tournament window, with the opener in Mexico City driving early-June demand. Booking cancellable rooms and locking flights early will matter more than in a typical summer.
Big picture, this World Cup is larger than anything before it: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 cities across three countries. Mexico gets the opener and a meaningful share of the group stage, the U.S. carries the knockout rounds through the final in New York–New Jersey, and Canada hosts its first men’s World Cup matches. That scale—and the early million sold—explains why the next draw window will be crowded. Go in prepared.
