As 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket presales continue, beware of scams and fakes
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Scammers register 4,300+ fake domains; KC2026 member says buy only from FIFA Exchange.
- StubHub lists Kansas City quarterfinal resale tickets near $11,852; verify sellers.
- Millions applied in 2025 phases; final sales open after Dec. 5 draw and later.
If you’re going to pay more than $11,000 for a ticket to a 2026 FIFA World Cup game in Kansas City next summer, be sure it’s not a fake.
At any price for that matter. Kansas City will host six games in next summer’s global soccer championship, including a quarterfinal match. That game is producing the most expensive ticket on the secondary market, Stubhub, $11,852 on Monday.
Tickets for earlier matches — Kansas City will be the site of four group-stage matches and a round of 32 game — start at less than $300.
Kansas City’s World Cup office, or the Chiefs, have nothing to do with the tickets. It’s all FIFA. But KC2026 CEO Pam Kramer has some advice for ticket seekers.
“I would tell my friends and family that if were buying, I would only buy from official platforms,” Kramer said. “Those would be FIFA platforms and their official hospitality providers.
“The risk is pretty high if you’re buying from a third-party reseller, of from someone that is not an official FIFA outlet.”
According to the website lifefootballtickets.com, more than 4,300 fake FIFA-related domains have been registered since August, mimicking official ticketing, streaming and merchandise platforms.
Some 4.5 million fans applied to purchase tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the first of multiple sales phases, and more than 1 million tickets were sold.
The next sales phase happens after the final draw on Dec. 5, when teams will be assigned to groups. Fans will be able to submit applications for specific matches once group-stage matchups have been revealed.
The final FIFA ticket phase will happen “closer to the tournament,” according to the FIFA World Cup website. “Fans will be able to purchase any remaining inventory on a first come, first serve basis.”
FIFA Exchange Marketplace is the official ticket and exchange platform.
The 48-team 2026 World Cup will take place over 16 cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Games in Kansas City are set for June 16, 20, 25 and 27, July 3 and 11.
The draw in Washington, D.C., will determine the 12 four-team groups. But cities won’t know which teams are set for their stadiums until after FIFA and the broadcasters determine kickoff times.
Kansas City knows it will host two Group J games, and one each in Group E and Group F. That means, on the day of the draw, the city will know that three teams from Group J will play here, and two each from the other groups.
It won’t know which teams for another 24-48 hours, FIFA has told the host cities.