World Cup tickets hit $4,000 as general sales continue for most games

With just over a month until the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, tickets for most group stage games remain on sale through FIFA's official website at prices ranging from $380 to $4,105, the Associated Press reported Saturday.

For Orange County residents — a short drive from Los Angeles, one of the tournament's U.S. host cities — the pricing represents a steep hurdle to attending matches nearby. The highest group stage price applies to the June 12 USA vs. Paraguay game in Los Angeles, where top-tier seats cost $4,105 each.

FIFA's website shows 17 group stage games have already sold out, while remaining available seats tend to fall in higher — and costlier — categories, according to the Associated Press. The cheapest tickets on offer are $380 each, available for seven different games including Curacao vs. Ivory Coast.

Popular national teams carry a sharp premium. Argentina match tickets range from $2,475 to $2,925, while Brazil games run $2,280 to $2,310, the AP reported. The full tournament spans 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico — the largest World Cup ever staged.

FIFA is using dynamic pricing for the first time, meaning costs can rise or fall based on demand. FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the backlash Thursday at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver, British Columbia. "There are expensive tickets, yes, and there are also affordable tickets," Infantino said.

He defended the revenue model, saying ticket proceeds "go back to the entire world and finance football in all of your countries," according to the Associated Press. Infantino said in January that demand for the tournament was equivalent to "1,000 years of World Cups at once."

Fans have responded sharply, with FIFA accused of a "monumental betrayal" on ticket costs, the AP reported. Beyond the group stage, the prices climb further: semifinal seats in Front Category 1 range from $9,660 in Atlanta to $11,130 in Dallas. Four seats for the World Cup final were listed at just under $2.3 million each on resale platforms.

FIFA collects a 30% cut from all transactions on its official resale marketplace.

The 2026 World Cup opens June 11 with Mexico vs. South Africa. Tickets remain on sale through FIFA's official website, with last-minute sales available as the tournament approaches.