FIFA opened official ticket sales for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday despite fewer than half the 48 qualifying spots being claimed and no finalized match schedule.

Lottery winners selected from 4.5 million applicants received the first opportunity to purchase tickets over the next few days. The match schedule will not be determined until the December 5 draw. Only host nations United States, Canada and Mexico have confirmed qualification among 18 total teams.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino called the application numbers "outstanding figures" and "a strong statement" about global interest in the tournament.

"The whole world wants to be part of the FIFA World Cup 26, the biggest, most inclusive and most exciting event ever," Infantino said on social media.

Tickets range from $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final across four seating categories. FIFA will implement dynamic pricing for the first time at a World Cup. Roughly 7.1 million seats are available across 104 matches at 16 North American venues.

Applications came from 216 countries and territories. The top three were the host nations, followed by Germany, England, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain and Italy.

Questions surround visa accessibility as the U.S. implements stricter immigration policies. Tourism officials have noted declining overseas visitor numbers this year. U.S. President Donald Trump suggested potential host city changes last week.

"If any city we think is going to be even a little bit dangerous for the World Cup, we won't allow it to go there," Trump said. "We'll move it around a little bit."

The State Department confirmed that safety and security remain top priorities. Officials urged travelers needing visas to begin applications immediately.

Additional ticket phases include an early draw from October 27-31 and a random selection after December's team draw. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026.