How to buy tickets for World Cup matches in Houston
Tickets for 2026 World Cup matches in Houston can only be purchased through FIFA's official platform at FIFA.com/tickets or through FIFA-authorized resale and hospitality partners. Avoid third-party sites — they are unauthorized and risk being declined at the gate.
NRG Stadium has a capacity of 72,220, hosting multiple group-stage and potentially knockout matches. Tickets for matches in Houston go through three sales phases organized by FIFA, each with its own application window and selection method.
The three sales phases
- Random draw phase: Application window where fans submit requests; oversubscribed matches go to a random selection. No payment until allocated.
- First-come-first-served phase: Remaining tickets sold in real time. Be ready at start time and expect a digital queue.
- Last-minute sales: Released tickets in the weeks before the match, including unused team allocations and hospitality returns.
What you need to apply
- A free FIFA ID account (FAN ID) — set this up early.
- Passport or government ID matching the FAN ID details.
- An international payment card (Visa, partner of FIFA, is the only accepted card for some windows).
- USD pricing displayed for local card transactions.
Special routes for Houston
US residents have access to a host-country ticket category at reduced prices. Proof of residency is required at the time of collection.
Confirmation and entry
Tickets are issued digitally via the FIFA app. There are no printed tickets. Bring your government ID — random spot checks pair the ticket holder with the registered fan. METRORail Red Line stops directly at the stadium complex.