Are World Cup Tickets Hard to Get? (Revealed!)

The FIFA World Cup is soccer’s most prestigious tournament. For the lucky ones who attend the matches in person, it’s an event they will never forget. 

But are World Cup tickets hard to get? And what do you need to know about the application process? Let’s find out.

So, are World Cup tickets hard to get?

Yes, World Cup tickets are hard to get. You need to apply directly from FIFA, and tickets are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. You should avoid using third-party ticketing sites, as you might not be allowed to enter Qatar if you don’t have an official ticket.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about applying for tickets to Qatar and why the ticketing process is super competitive.

How do you apply for World Cup tickets?

The best way to apply for tickets for the FIFA World Cup is to do so through the official FIFA ticketing website. The initial window for sales has closed, but a new window will be open until August 16, 2022, for further applications.  

Qatar has been nominated as the host of the 2022 tournament, and you will need to act quickly to get your hands on tickets for this year’s event.

Tickets for the World Cup are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, and the application process is competitive, particularly for matches later on in the tournament. 

Therefore, if you haven’t done so already, it’s a good idea to create an account with FIFA right away. You can then look for tickets that are currently available on the site.

What about third-party ticket sites?

We do not recommend using third-party ticket sites to buy World Cup tickets. The main reason is that they sell tickets for much higher than face value, which is illegal. What’s more, ticket touts are notoriously unreliable, and they might not even send the tickets that you buy. 

Although the demand for World Cup tickets is extremely high, we don’t advise you to go to third-party sites to secure a ticket for the event.

If you aren’t successful with your ticket application for the Qatar World Cup, consider shelving your plans and apply for tickets for the next World Cup, which will, in-part, be hosted by the USA.

How much do World Cup tickets cost?

As the planet’s most prestigious soccer tournament, it won’t surprise you to hear that World Cup tickets fetch a premium price. FIFA has reserved the cheapest tickets for residents of Qatar, and everyone else is required to pay the following prices for tickets:

Phase	Cheapest ticket	Most expensive ticket
Group stage	$67.50	$216.00
Round of sixteen	$94.50	$270.00
Quarter finals	$202.50	$418.50
Semi finals	$351.00	$939.60
Third-placed match	$202.50	$418.50
Final	$594.00	$1,579.50

As mentioned, you need to check the FIFA site for ticketing availability, and tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The tickets available on the site are classed into different categories, which fall in between the prices given in the table above. 

If your application is successful, you will need to pay for your ticket there and then with a debit or credit card.

Do you need a visa for the Qatar World Cup?

Once you have successfully secured a ticket for the World Cup, you will need to apply for a visa to attend the tournament. In fact, the Qatar visa will be your fan ID – called the Hay’ya Card, which gives you access to transport and other benefits when in the country. 

If you don’t apply for a Hay’ya card in advance of your trip, you will not be permitted entry to Qatar or the stadiums on match day. As part of your application, you will need to confirm your accommodation plans in advance.

As such, the World Cup in Qatar is not a tournament you can just turn up to and expect to get tickets in-country before the action starts! Instead, you need to plan ahead and apply through the appropriate channels in order to attend the event.

Why are tickets for the Qatar World Cup so hard to get?

Frankly, tickets for most World Cup tournaments are difficult to get. Fans from all over the world want to enjoy the carnival atmosphere of the competition while cheering their nation on, so the demand for tickets in Qatar is perfectly normal for the competition. 

However, the fact that Qatar is a relatively small nation presents new challenges. There have been worries about the availability of accommodation, which is why Qatar is being so strict with tickets and visas for people attending the World Cup.

You will not be permitted entry to Qatar without your ticket and Hay’ya pass, so it’s super important that you’re organized. It’s one of the first World Cups to process tickets in this way, but it’s unlikely to be the last.

A digital fan pass could be a new way for nations to improve the organization of their tournaments and prevent issues relating to ticket touts. It will be interesting to see how Qatar gets on in this regard.

What if I can’t get World Cup tickets?

Unfortunately, we can’t all get tickets to the World Cup, and many of us will have to stay at home to watch the action unfold. But that’s okay! The World Cup will be televised all around the world, and you can watch the soccer from home. 

You might even consider throwing a house party and tuning into the USMNT’s games with your buddies. This is a great way to enjoy the action, particularly if you can’t be there in person.

Also, don’t forget that the World Cup will be coming to US soil in 2026, so there’s a lot to look forward to. If you don’t manage to secure tickets for the competition in Qatar, you might be able to land tickets when the World Cup comes to your state in the near future.

The verdict: Are World Cup tickets hard to get?

Unfortunately, the bottom line is that World Cup tickets are hard to get. Soccer fans from all around the world want to watch their nation in action, making it difficult to secure tickets for certain matches. 

Still, if you register to apply for tickets with FIFA online and take care of your visa application and accommodation, you have a reasonable chance of securing your tickets for the world’s greatest soccer tournament.