Today marks exactly 50 days to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and to mark this milestone, new ticketing inventory will be made available to the public with tickets for all 104 matches going on sale.
At the start of sale on Wednesday, 22 April 2026 at 17h00 CAT, tickets will be available across Categories 1 to 3 and the front-row seat categories via www.FIFA.com/tickets, depending on the match. This ticket drop is part of the ongoing Last-Minute Sales Phase, which runs until the end of the tournament and allows the public to purchase tickets via FIFA.com/tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. Along with this set of tickets, additional tickets will continue to be released to the public on an ongoing basis up until the tournament final on Sunday, 19 July (subject to availability).
Given the nature of first-come, first-served sales and as in previous periods of high traffic, fans can expect digital queues, which allow FIFA to improve the user experience once fans are admitted. Users will be able to see the matches and categories for which tickets are available, select specific seats and proceed with their purchases, and they will receive confirmation once payment is completed. Fans will be able to choose directly from the seat map option to select specific seats or use the “Book the best seat” feature.
FIFA reminds fans that FIFA.com/tickets is the official and preferred source for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets, and fans should check the site regularly for additional tickets that are made available on an ongoing basis. Additionally, the official Resale/Exchange Marketplace is also available at FIFA.com/tickets for eligible ticket holders. This platform enables fans who can no longer attend matches to sell their tickets to other fans in a secure and authorised environment, safeguarding against invalid or unauthorised resale. The service is available subject to federal and local regulations.
South Africa was drawn in Group A during the FIFA World Cup draw held in Washington DC in December 2025. Bafana will compete against Mexico, South Korea, and Czech Republic. Mexico will host Bafana Bafana in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and this game will mark the start of the 48-team tournament.
With the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ just 50 days away on 22 April, more than five million tickets have already been sold for this edition of the tournament, which is set to be the biggest yet as 48 teams vie for glory across 39 days of thrilling action.
A match ticket does not guarantee admission to a host country, and fans should visit each host country’s government website to check the entry requirements for Canada, Mexico and the United States of America (USA). Given the processing times involved, FIFA recommends that fans submit any required visa applications as early as possible.
For Bafana Bafana fans, the South African Football Association (SAFA) and the embassy of the USA will have Thursday, 14 May 2026 set aside for appointments for all fans with confirmed tickets to attain the USA visas. The fans must have existing VISA applications with appointment confirmation even if it is a later appointment date. This fan appointment will be at both facilities in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Note for Mexico: If you hold a valid multiple entry visa issued by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, or a Schengen Area country, you may travel to Mexico without a Mexican visa. Visitor visas for South African passport holders are free of charge
SAFA encourages all South Africans at home and abroad heading to the FIFA 2026 World Cup to gear themselves up to back the boys and also prepare for the multitude of fan activities that are expected in Mexico City, Atlanta and Monterrey.
South African Football: Matches between SuperSport United and Bidvest Wits have historically been competitive.
Dropkick
Sport Trivia: Apart from a team event bronze medal in 1992, Ghana won three other individual Olympic medals in the 20th century. These were all in the same event. Which event was this? Answer: Boxing. Ghanaian boxers won silver in Rome in 1960, bronze in Tokyo in 1964, and Munich in 1972.
High-Fructose
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”