The next phase of ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins Thursday, December 11, amid rising resale prices and warnings about scams targeting Houston fans. Local ticket broker Kayla Ramsey, known as the Ticket Queen, advises buying from reputable sources to avoid fake tickets and fraudulent payments. Nearly two million tickets have already been sold for the tournament's seven matches at NRG Stadium.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature seven matches in Houston at NRG Stadium, with schedules announced just days ago. The Random Selection Draw, the third phase of ticket sales, opens on December 11 at 10 a.m. CT and runs through January 13, 2026. Fans can register at fifa.com/en/tickets, logging in with an existing FIFA ID or creating a new account to select preferred matches and ticket categories. Successful applicants will receive an email and be charged in February.
Resale prices are already high, averaging $672 across Houston's matches, according to VividSeats. The cheapest tickets include $536 for Germany vs. Curaçao on June 14, $932 for Portugal vs. Playoff Winner 1 on June 17, and $205 for Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia on June 26. Ramsey, office manager at Houston Ticket Store & Midtown Tickets, attributes the surge to massive demand and FIFA's dynamic pricing, calling it "the Super Bowl of soccer."
"I definitely would buy now," Ramsey said. "I don’t think I’d wait, because that’ll just drive the price up."
Scammers are targeting eager fans with fake tickets, bogus QR codes, and requests for Zelle or Cash App payments. Common tactics include screenshots of counterfeit mobile tickets and outdated paper versions, despite FIFA using only digital tickets. Red flags include mismatched barcodes, incorrect fonts, wrong pricing, and color inconsistencies.
Ramsey recommends buying from verified local brokers using credit cards for dispute options, obtaining receipts, and avoiding street sellers or strangers online. "The scammers come out in full force when high profile events come to town," she noted. NRG Stadium's 70,000 capacity underscores the limited supply driving prices higher, with locals forming the bulk of early buyers.
