It's finally here - FIFA's "Last Minute Sale" of tickets for the 2026 World Cup.April 1 (midnight Japan time, April 2)The company announced that it will begin to This time around, the previousNot by lottery, but "first come, first served."In other words, the early bird gets the worm. This may be your last chance to get tickets.
🕛 Sales start
4/1(Wed) 24:00pm = 4/2(Thu) 0:00 JST
Sales Method
First-come, first-served (first come, first served)
✅ What to do now
FIFA account confirmation
📅 Resale resumes
Friday, 4/3, time TBD
🔥 Last Minute Sale to start
—日
—Time
—分
—秒
Thursday, April 2, 0:00 a.m. JST
- ⏱️ What is a "Last Minute Sale"?
- 🌏 When in Japan time? Midnight start.
- 🇯🇵 Review of Japan's national team games
- 💰 Ticket Prices: The Truth Behind the "Dynamic Pricing" Controversy
- 📋 Purchase Process 📋 📋 This is what you need to prepare for.
⏱️ What is a "Last Minute Sale"?
FIFA ticket sales have proceeded in four phases.December 2025
Phase 1Visa : Visa Presale Lottery
December 2025 - January 2026
Phase 2General sales (lottery)
January-February 2026
Phase 3Third round of sales (lottery)
April 1 - July 19, 2026
Phase 4 (Last Minute Sale)First-come, first-served sales ← NOW HERE!
First-Come, First-Served
No lottery, but confirmed in the order in which you access the site and press the purchase button. It is a speedy game.
🌏 When in Japan time? Midnight start.
| time zone | Start Date |
|---|---|
| Eastern U.S. (ET) | Wednesday, April 1, 11:00 a.m. |
| Central U.S. (CT) | Wednesday, April 1, 10:00 a.m. |
| U.S. Pacific (PT) | Wednesday, April 1, 8:00 a.m. |
| Japan Time (JST) | Thursday, April 2, 0:00 a.m. (midnight) |
It starts exactly at midnight Japan time. Don't think of it as an April Fool's joke (lol); it will be April 2 in Japan, according to April 1 U.S. time.
🇯🇵 Review of Japan's national team games
First, let's take a look again at the group stage schedule for our national team.| Match | opponent | Date and time (local) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 6/14 (Sun) 16:00 ET / 15:00 CT | AT&T Stadium (Dallas) |
| Round 2 | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | Saturday, June 20, 22:00 local time | Estadio BBVA (Monterrey) |
| Round 3 | UEFA Playoff B Winner | Thursday, 6/25 at 19:00 ET / 18:00 CT | AT&T Stadium (Dallas) |
💰 Ticket Prices: The Truth Behind the "Dynamic Pricing" Controversy
FIFA officiallyVariable pricing, not dynamic pricingHe claims so. However, in February 2026, President Infantino himself admitted its existence by stating "dynamic prices" in an interview with CNBC. In reality, it is a system where prices are adjusted between sales phases according to demand, and the price varies depending on the purchase timing for the same match and the same category.The price depends on the demand.
FIFA claims it's "not automatically real-time fluctuating," but popular matches tend to see price increases during each sales phase. This has become such a problem that European fan groups have filed a complaint with the European Commission.
| rounds (e.g. nurse, security guard, etc.) | Cat.4 (Lowest) | Cat.3 | Cat.2 | Cat.1 (highest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| group stage | $35 to $105 | $75 to $210 | $150 to $410 | $300 to $750 |
| Round of 32 | $75~ | $150~ | $300〜 | $600~ |
| quarterfinal | $125~ | $275~ | $525~ | $1,050〜 |
| Final | $250~ | $600~ | $1,500～ | $4,185~. |
Above is based on list price in past phases. Due to dynamic pricing, last minute sales may be higher than this. Conversely, matches with low demand may be cheaper.
Incidentally, I previously mentioned in this articleSupporter Entry Tier $60 Supporter TicketHowever, this is for allocations through the national soccer associations (PMA = JFA in Japan), and the application deadline is January 13, 2026. There is no $60 quota in the Last Minute Sale.
In addition,Be careful about resale of supporter tickets!FIFA's official resale terms and conditions limit the tickets that can be listed on the Resale Marketplace to those "purchased through the official FIFA portal," and it is unclear whether supporter tickets allocated via PMAs are eligible for resale. Since each association (PMA) may have different policies, we recommend that you check directly with the JFA regarding the resale eligibility of supporter tickets acquired via the JFA.
STEP 1At FIFA.com
Account Confirmation
Account Confirmation
STEP 2Payment Method.
advance registration
advance registration
STEP 34/2 Midnight
access initiation
access initiation
STEP 4Seat Selection &
buy on the spot
buy on the spot
📋 Purchase Process 📋 📋 This is what you need to prepare for.
First-come, first-served means,Preparation is everything.If you are in a hurry on the day of the event, you will lose. If you panic on the day, you will lose.🎯 To be done by midnight JST on April 2
- Create and verify your FIFA account ── FIFA.com/tickets Check now if you can log in to
- Register your payment method ─ Register your credit card information in advance. Check the credit limit as well.
- Priority of matches to target ─ Decide on your first to third choices. Be prepared to switch to other games even if the Japan game doesn't work out.
- Browser Preparation ─ ─ Keep FIFA.com/tickets open on both your PC and your smartphone. In a place with a stable communication environment.
- Sharing with family and friends ─ Increase the probability by accessing the site with several people at the same time, and use the experience of "cooperative warfare" used in the Phase 3 lottery.
💡 Practical tips for winning on a first-come, first-served basis ─ Learning from past FIFA sales
This is not the first time that first-come, first-served ticket sales have occurred at a FIFA tournament; the 2022 Qatar tournament and the 2026 advance phase also had a first-come, first-served phase; Reddit (r/worldcup, r/soccer), the experiences of past purchasers, and FIFA's official recommendations combined, the following points emerge.🕐 Standby Timing
Be seated in front of your PC between 23:15 and 23:30 JSTIdeally, you should be logged in to FIFA.com/tickets between 23:40 and 23:50. FIFA officials also recommend that you log in and confirm your payment information in advance.💻 Browser vs. app
The PC browser is the main source of purchase.It is. PCs have the advantage in terms of speed of operation, screen size, and ease of use of the seating map. Keep your smartphone on standby as a backup line and backup device. the official FIFA purchase lead is also mainly FIFA.com/tickets (browser).📱 Utilization of multiple terminals
A few are effective, too much is counterproductive."is the ironclad rule. The recommended configuration is: one main PC browser + another browser or smartphone as a backup. Opening a large number of tabs on the same account risks unstable behavior.💳 Preparation of settlement (most important)
This is the point where you can make the most difference, and FIFA officials strongly recommend advance preparation.- 3D Secure AuthenticationActivate (Visa, Mastercard, etc.)
- Contact the bank in advance Tëm, I will inform you that you will have to make an overseas online payment.
- Prepare two or three cards. Taken in the case that one of the cards is rejected.
- Confirmation of Usage Limit Tentative increase for higher price categories
- Authentication app/SMS ready to view Tëm, you will never miss a 3D Secure Authentication notification.
⚠️ Dealing with server congestion
In the official FIFA FAQ,Queuing (queueing) is normal behaviorand are guided to wait and follow the on-screen instructions. Refreshing or closing your browser during the queue may cause you to lose your turn.Never update while in queue.is the general rule. Only if the system is completely frozen should it be re-entered with a backup terminal.🎯 Aim and Strategy
Zero lost time."The biggest trick is to decide on one of the most important matches in advance. Decide on one main match in advance, and immediately after the start, concentrate on that one match to complete the payment as fast as possible. Put it in the cart, but do not secure it,Not guaranteed until payment is completed.The following is a list of the most common problems with the Also, inventory may be released additionally during the last minute sale (~July 19), so it is worth checking back periodically even if you don't get it the first time.🔄 Another option: official resale marketplace
The day after the last minute saleApril 3ToOfficial Resale & Exchange MarketplaceIt is expected to resume (the exact start time has not been announced by FIFA. Last time, it was around midnight Japan time). This is a marketplace where people who won tickets in past phases but were unable to go can list them. This is the same place you're familiar with from our blog's "Resale Fail Story" series.last-minute sale
4/2 0:00 JST
FIFA direct sales, fixed price basis
dynamic pricing
first-come-first-served basis
resale marketplace
April 3rd, time TBD
Private Listings / Market Price
Seller Commission 15%
Confirmed Seats
📱 Tickets are mobile-only - no paper tickets
Tickets for the 2026 World Cup are available atAll mobile ticketsIt is. No paper tickets or PDFs. FIFA World Cup 2026 Official App(iOS / Android), and the barcode is activated via Bluetooth in the vicinity of the stadium on the day of the game.No admission with scrubs/photos.
Screenshots or photos of tickets are not valid. Be sure to enter via the app.
🎫 Possibility of Same-Day Tickets
The Last Minute Sale will continue through July 19 as Phase 4. This means that purchases can still be made during the convention. If there is any inventory left on the day of the tournament,same-day ticketThere is a possibility that there will be However, there is no guarantee that same-day tickets will be available for a popular card like the Japan game. As a realistic scenario:- Easy to get tickets on the day of the event: "Japan is not involved" matches and unpopular cards in the group stage
- Same-day tickets are almost hopeless: Japan, Brazil, Argentina and other popular countries, and the final tournament
⚽ ⚽ ⚽ ⚽
🏁 Summary: At midnight on April 2, the final battle begins.
If you didn't win the lottery, if the resale was too expensive for you, if you didn't win the lottery for the $60 ticket ── Last Minute Sale is the last door for you!It is. Let's review the key points of this issue.| (data) item | Details |
|---|---|
| Commencement of sales | Thursday, April 2, 0:00 a.m. JST |
| sales method | first-come-first-served basis(Not by lottery) |
| Seat Selection | Selectable on the interactive map |
| price system | Dynamic pricing (variable) |
| Sales period | ~July 19 (the day the convention ends) |
| Official resale resumes | Friday, April 3rd, time to be determined |
| Ticket format | Mobile tickets only (FIFA App) |
| Purchase Site | FIFA.com/tickets |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Last Minute Sale a lottery?
No. This is a last minute sale. This last minute sale isFirst-Come, First-ServedIt is. While previous Phases 1-3 were by lottery, Phase 4 tickets will be confirmed in the order in which the purchase buttons are pressed.
When does it start in Japan time?
Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 0:00 a.m. JST(midnight). It is 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time in the U.S. on April 1, but in Japan, it is midnight on April 2.
Are ticket prices fixed?
No. For the first time in FIFA historydynamic pricinghas been introduced. Prices fluctuate in real time according to supply and demand, so the more popular a card is, the more expensive it is likely to be.
Can I get a paper ticket?
No. Tickets for the 2026 World Cup areAll mobile ticketsIt will be delivered to the official FIFA World Cup 2026 app (iOS/Android) and scanned upon entry to the stadium on the day of the match.
If I fail to purchase, is there another chance?
Yes, we will be selling the items. The Last Minute Sale itself will continue until July 19. Also, starting April 3.Official Resale Marketplacewill also be reopened, so you will have a chance to obtain tickets there as well.
Addendum: March 30, 2026: Latest Information on Dynamic Pricing Issues
Following the publication of this article, there have been significant developments regarding dynamic pricing, which we would like to add.
Formal complaint filed with the European Commission
March 24, 2026, European consumer organizationsEuroconsumersand soccer supporter groupsFSE (Football Supporters Europe)Regarding FIFA's ticket sales methodSubmit a formal complaint to the European CommissionThey argue that FIFA is using its monopolistic position to set exorbitant prices and apply a non-transparent fluctuating pricing system.
Specifically, we are asking the European Commission to do the following:
- Cessation of dynamic pricing for tickets for EEA (European Economic Area) residents
- Price freeze during the last-minute sales phase in April
🎤 Chairman Infantino acknowledges "dynamic prices"
FIFA has so far claimed that they do not use "dynamic pricing" but rather "variable pricing." However, in a CNBC interview on February 18, 2026, President Infantino himselfin the US in particular, something called dynamic prices, meaning the prices will go up or downand stated. In effect, they admitted the existence of dynamic pricing.
The truth behind the rumor that "it's not dynamic pricing"
There's a rumor circulating on social media and other platforms that "last-minute sales in April will not use dynamic pricing (they will be fixed price)," butThis is half right and half misunderstanding..
- It is true that FIFA officially claims it is not "dynamic pricing."However, "variable pricing" is still ongoing, and it is essentially the same mechanism.
- There is no official announcement that the last-minute sales on April 1st will be at a "fixed price."The fan groups are demanding that prices be frozen.
- FIFA, facing fan backlash in December 2025,$60 Supporter Entry Tier(Fixed price quota) was introduced, but this is limited to quotas through national football associations
In any caseThe more popular the match, the higher the price.The structure remains the same. We recommend that those considering a purchase access the site immediately after the sale begins on April 1st.
This addendum is based on an independent cross-check by four AIs (Claude, ChatGPT, Grok, and Gemini). Sources: FIFA Official Website, ESPN, Reuters, Euroconsumers Official Release, CNBC.
(Note) The information in this article is as of March 30, 2026 (updated March 30). Ticket prices, sales methods, and dates are subject to change. For the latest information,FIFA official websitePlease check it out at This blog is operated by an individual and is in no way affiliated with FIFA or JFA.
Comments
Thank you very much for your informative and entertaining articles! This is our first time to watch the games there, so they are very helpful!
Actually, I would like to resell supporter premier tier tickets for Japan Round 3 (6/25), but before the site closed in March, the supporter seats for the Japan Round were not opened for resale and could not be done!
Can it be resold immediately from 4/3,..,
However, since the JFA did not require a PMA code for the third sale, non-Japanese supporters were able to purchase the tickets, and since there seems to be no announcement from the JFA for this resale, if the seats are opened, anyone can purchase them, and the first-floor supporters' seats behind the goal will be full of supporters of the opposing country. If the seats are opened, anyone can purchase them, and the first floor supporters' seats behind the goal will be full of supporters of the opposing country.
What are your thoughts on this area? I would like to give it to a Japanese supporter, so I am wondering a lot about it and would appreciate your advice!
Thanks for your comments, K@K! I'm looking forward to my first local visit.
A few points about resale are summarized below.
Resale market reopening date
The FIFA Resale Market is scheduled to reopen on April 2 at 11:00 ET (midnight GMT April 3).
[Regarding concerns about passing on to supporters of the warring nations.
Under FIFA's official rules, when a PMA supporter ticket is put up for resale, the ticket will only be displayed to "eligible fans". In other words, Japan's supporter tickets are only visible to Japanese supporters, so your concern about the tickets being full of supporters of the opposing country is covered by the rules.
[JFA's policy is the most important point.
However, since each PMA decides whether or not to allow the resale of supporter tickets based on its own criteria, whether or not the JFA allows the resale of Supporter Premier Tier tickets is a separate issue. It is highly possible that the market was closed in March (February 22-April 1), but it is also possible that JFA does not allow the resale of the Supporter Premier Tier.
We recommend that you check directly with JFA to see if resale is possible after the reopening on April 2.
Let's make it the best experience for both of us there!