Emil BachevThe best way to avoid getting scammed when trying to obtain tickets for matches in the FIFA World Cup is to purchase them directly from FIFA. Even though many report that buying from FIFA sometimes makes them feel like they’ve just been scammed because of the high prices. Getting a ticket from FIFA at least guarantees that the expensive purchase is genuine. And that ticket holders will actually be able to enter the venue and watch the intended World Cup 2026 game.
Billions of people will be watching the games on TV. But very few will be lucky enough to attend in person. And fraudsters are trying to capitalize on the panic surrounding the ticket sales. If tickets are not directly available from FIFA or on the FIFA Marketplace, there are a few other legit, FIFA-endorsed options. For example FIFA Collect or hospitality suites, that could help soccer fanatics attend a game.
Key takeaways
- The safest and most reliable way to get genuine World Cup 2026 tickets is directly from FIFA.
- Alternatives exist when regular tickets are unavailable, but come at a price and high scam risks.
- Fraudsters capitalize on panic through fake sites, phishing (especially around FIFA Collect emails), and unauthorized resales.
- If World Cup tickets are too pricey or hard to get, attending pre-tournament USMNT friendlies is an affordable option. To watch top-quality international soccer games.
How to get legit FIFA World Cup tickets?
FIFA has stated that it is the only seller to sell tickets directly, and that the only verified marketplace for after-sales is the FIFA Marketplace. However, a simple Google search shows that plenty of people are trying to resell on third-party reseller websites such as StubHub or SeatGeek. Both ticket reseller platforms boast that they protect all purchases, so customers can recover their money even if the tickets turn out to be fake. However, it can be really frustrating just to get a refund if a reseller fails to perform.
People who parted with hard-earned cash, bought airplane tickets, booked hotels, and lived for months knowing they would attend a once-in-a-lifetime soccer game may only get a refund on their ticket. This could jeopardizing the whole experience.
How about FIFA hospitality suites?
Unlike regular tickets, hospitality packages remain available but are extremely pricey. A family of four attending a group-stage game in the USA through a hospitality package can easily have to fork out over $10,000. Yes, it is true that those present an opportunity for people to experience premium entertainment, food, tickets. And beverages, as FIFA states. But this premium experience also comes with a ridiculously high price tag. However, FIFA Collect presents an opportunity to secure a ticket, though!
FIFA Collect explained
FIFA owns FIFA Collect, its official digital collectibles platform. Some of the collectables sold on the platform come with a chance to get a ticket known as Right-to-Ticket (RTT). It is not an actual ticket, but a promise from FIFA that the collectible holder will have a chance to obtain a game ticket. In most cases, purchasing an RTT requires the buyer to make payments in crypto. After obtaining a digital collectible with RTT rights, the owners of such collectibles must watch for an email from FIFA. Months from now with instructions for obtaining tickets. It is a legit way to get access to tickets, but it comes with risks. Users have to fund crypto wallets and be on constant lookout for random emails. As people might expect, scammers are aware of this and actively try to replicate such emails through phishing attacks.
While antivirus software can protect people from falling for a phishing scam, a small mistake in funding a crypto wallet can send their funds in the wrong direction. And they may be lost forever. It is essential first to transfer sum folks are ok with losing, just to make sure the transfer works. And the FIFA Collect wallet receives the funds. And if it works, to replicate the wallet funding with a larger amount of money, enough to buy the desired collectible with RTT rights.
Are there any World Cup alternatives?
Yes, there are! The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) will play a string of friendly games before the World Cup starts. The USMNT will be taking on a few countries that could easily be this year’s World Cup trophy winners, including Germany, Portugal, and Belgium. While prices to attend a USMNT team match at the World Cup are generally upwards of $1,000 per person. Tickets for some friendly games with Germany and Portugal are as cheap as $80. Folks attending those games still have a chance to see soccer super-stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Christian Pulisic, or Joshua Kimmich.
Avoiding getting scammed while searching for tickets can be tricky, but not impossible, as long as people stick to official channels for obtaining World Cup tickets and are adequately protected. And to highlight, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are not official channels. But FIFA and its subsidiaries, such as FIFA Collect and FIFA Marketplace, are. If prices are still too high, it may be worth considering just watching the games from a sports bar. Or attending any of the alternative friendly games before the World Cup begins.
