One year from the 2026 World Cup start, FIFA (International Football Federation) announced on Wednesday (11) that the draw to define the group stage confrontations will be held in December. The entity did not specify the exact day, nor the place. The tournament will be hosted together by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The definition of keys to the World Cup can occur even before all classified countries are known. The maximum deadline until the end of all the qualifiers is March 2026.
To date, 13 selections are confirmed. In addition to the three hostesses, ten reached their vacancies through the qualifying disputes.
This Tuesday (10), the Brazilian team beat Paraguay 1-0, in São Paulo, and confirmed their 23rd classification, expanding their record as the only country to participate in all worlds. Largest winner, Brazil will seek its sixth title. The last one was won in 2002, in Korea and Japan.
The other teams that stamped the passport are: Argentina, Australia, Ecuador, Iran, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Jordan and Uzbekistan.
Brazilian fans excited about the country’s classification and who already want to buy tickets will have to wait.
For now, the sale is not available. This should start from the third quarter of this year, said the entity without specifying a date. On the official website for the commercialization of tickets, there is a recommendation for fans to record interest as a way of having priority at the time of purchase.
According to information from The New York Times, the top football entity plans to sell tickets to the 2026 World Cup in a dynamic pricing model, with values floating according to demand.
FIFA does not confirm the idea, but adopted this model on tickets for the Club World Cup games, which starts this Saturday (14) in the United States. Entries for matches involving Inter Milan, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, for example, were sold for $ 30 ($ 166), less than half the amount charged for Real Madrid-$ 100 games.
Dynamic pricing was recently adopted in the 2024 Copa America dispute, also based in the United States. Also according to the New York Times, the practice is quite common in large events in the country although it is not usual in football.
In the “United” candidacy document, launched by the United States, Canada and Mexico, to host the World Cup, the countries had an estimate of US $ 1.8 billion (R $ 9.9 billion) of ticket sales revenue. The projection was described as “conservative”.
For now, only tickets that are part of hospitality packages to the World Cup are available, including exclusive services. Prices range from US $ 3,500 (R $ 19.4 thousand) to US $ 73,200 (R $ 405 thousand).
Immigrant crisis
In a statement, FIFA said it expects about 6.5 million fans at the 2026 World Cup stadiums. The matches will be distributed in 16 host cities.
“The splendor, culture and unique taste of each of our 16 host cities will be in full exhibition while the World Cup shows the world all that North America has to offer,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said. “We look forward to welcoming teams and guests from all continents to celebrate the beautiful sport on their most majestic stage.”
Despite the receptive message, doubts about access to united states in the midst of restrictive policies imposed by the government of Donald Trump. Recently, the Republican has banned citizens from 12 countries, except for those who have valid or permanent visa or who have double nationality.
The measure reaches Iran, one of 13 countries that have already secured a place in the World Cup. The veto, however, also provides for exceptions for players, technicians, employees and relatives of members of the Asian selection, but blocks the entry of fans.
“Each country has its own policies, but we are for the unit. Fans around the world will go to the US, as well as to Mexico and Canada. As always, before the World Cup, many topics are discussed, but when starting it will be a party,” said the president of FIFA.
