FIFA announced on Wednesday plans for a final round of World Cup ticket sales.
World soccer's governing body said over one million tickets had been sold by the end of the previous release between December and February and additional tickets would be put on general sale April 1 to the end of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
The latest phase comes after FIFA president Gianni Infantino proclaimed in January that the demand for tickets was the equivalent of “1,000 years of World Cups at once” and all 104 matches at the latest edition Cup would be sold out.
FIFA has faced criticism over its ticket pricing strategy for the tournament, which is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Fans accused FIFA of a “monumental betrayal” in December when tickets were put on general sale ranging from $140 for the cheapest group games to $8,680 for the final.
On Tuesday, Football Supporters Europe said it had joined with consumer group Euroconsumers to make a formal complaint with the European Commission over prices.
FSE has criticized the exorbitant face prices and the employment of “dynamic pricing” for the first time at a World Cup, which could see costs rise even further.
FIFA said remaining tickets would be sold on a first come first served basis. It said the latest phase would enable fans to select specific seats, while those who have already bought tickets would be able to see which seats they have been allocated from April 1.
James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
FILE - Argentina's Lionel Messi hoists the winning team replica of the FIFA World Cup trophy during a celebration ceremony for local fans after an international friendly soccer match against Panama at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello, file)
SAN FRANCISCO & CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 28, 2026--
Visa, the Official Payment Technology Partner of the FIFA World Cup 26™, together with national nonprofit Street Soccer USA and Bank of America, the Official Bank Sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 26™, today announced a significant expansion of Visa Street Soccer Parks, bringing a new park to every host city in the U.S. ahead of this summer’s tournament.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260328341048/en/
Designed to serve communities at the neighborhood level, Visa Street Soccer Parks transform underutilized spaces into vibrant, accessible hubs for sport, learning and connection. As the tournament approaches, the expansion will bring community-driven infrastructure and programming to all 11 U.S. FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities, including new parks in Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia and Seattle/Tacoma. This community-focused infrastructure investment reflects a shared commitment to harnessing the unifying power of sport to uplift local communities
Alongside the expansion of Visa Street Soccer Parks, Visa will activate Visa & Main, its new small business engagement program, to support local entrepreneurs in the neighborhoods surrounding each park.
“With the FIFA World Cup™ just months away, we’re shifting from preparation to execution,” said Kim Lawrence, Regional President, North America, Visa. “This tournament is a global moment, but its legacy is built locally—in the neighborhoods that will host fans, families and the next generation of players. By expanding Visa Street Soccer Parks and supporting the local businesses and people who activate them every day, we’re turning tournament momentum into meaningful opportunity that lasts well beyond the final match.”
Each park is custom designed to support meaningful, ongoing use by the communities it serves and features two professional grade Bank of America fields, lighting for extended play, learning centers and flexible gathering spaces. Programming is delivered in collaboration with community partners and tailored to local needs—supporting recreational play, academic enrichment, workforce readiness and community engagement.
“Communities are built on accessible opportunities for connection, healthy activity and growth,” said David Tyrie, President, Marketing, Digital and Specialized Consumer Client Solutions at Bank of America. “These are more than just places to play; they are spaces where people of all ages can find common ground through the game of soccer, develop essential life skills and forge lasting bonds that strengthen our community fabric.”
Since opening the first park in San Francisco last year, the initiative is already demonstrating its impact on the ground with additional parks in Denver, Kansas City and New York City actively hosting youth and adult leagues, after-school academic support, financial education sessions and job readiness programming in partnership with local organizations. Previously announced parks in Nashville and Atlanta remain in development, with opening dates to be shared as planning is finalized.
“This is not about short-term excitement—it’s about building something that lasts,” said Lawrence Cann, Co-Founder and President of Street Soccer USA. “These parks are designed to create consistency and access, but more importantly, they belong to the communities that activate them every day. Rooted in community leadership, they create a bottom-up, durable legacy built and sustained by the people who call these neighborhoods home. As we expand these efforts into additional cities across the country, the focus is permanence and ensuring this work endures long after the tournament ends.”
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will bring unprecedented global attention to the United States. Through Visa Street Soccer Parks—and by supporting the people and small businesses that activate them—Visa, Street Soccer USA and Bank of America are already delivering community-driven impact, building spaces that will serve local communities well beyond the tournament itself.
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
About Street Soccer USA
Street Soccer USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to addressing social issues through soccer-based programs, providing underserved communities with pathways to achieve their potential. With a focus on accessible soccer programming and park development, SSUSA fosters safe, community-driven environments that empower individuals and strengthen neighborhoods. Through long standing relationships with municipal and state partners, thousands of donors, and key foundation, brands and pro soccer partners like Adam R. Scripps Foundation, UNIQLO, Borussia Dortmund, Serie A among others, SSUSA has grown to serve tens of thousands of youth and families each year across 16 cities, nationally, and growing.
About Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Youth soccer players at inaugural Visa Street Soccer Park opening.
