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World Cup tickets Last-Minute Sales Phase: When is it? How does it work? How can I apply?

World Cup tickets Last-Minute Sales Phase: When is it? How does it work? How can I apply?
Photo by AlexPhotoStock / Alamy

Following the completion of the final playoff matches at the end of March, we now know which 48 teams will compete at this summer's FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Each nation now has a clear idea of who they will be playing in the group stages and what their potential paths are to the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, 19 July.

Although the bulk of tickets for the tournament have already been sold, the final ‘last-minute' sales phase provides fans with a final chance to get their hands on match tickets for select matches. For all the key information on this phase, our guide below has you covered.

World Cup Last-Minute Ticket Sales: Key information

When is it?

The World Cup Last-Minute Sales Phase opened on Wednesday, 1 April at 17:00 CET. This is the fourth and final opportunity for fans to get their hands on FIFA World Cup tickets following the Visa Presale Draw in September, the Early Ticket Draw in October and the Random Selection Draw in December.

Unlike those three phases, the Last-Minute Ticket Sales Phase doesn't have an official closing date and will remain open until the tournament finishes. This is because FIFA plan to release some ‘on the day' tickets for select matches throughout the tournament.

How does it work?

The Last-Minute Sales Phase works differently from the three previous sales windows in that it operates on a first-come, first-served basis as opposed to a random ballot.

Fans who are interested in buying tickets will be able to log into the FIFA ticket portal, select which match and category ticket they want to buy tickets for, based on what is available, and buy them instantly.

To select specific seats in each host stadium, fans are able to either pick from a stadium map or just go with the best available via the ‘book the best seat' feature.

How can I apply?

There is no need to ‘apply' for tickets during this phase, as all tickets are available for immediate purchase. To do so, ensure you have a registered account on the FIFA ticket portal and follow the instructions listed above.

FIFA have also informed interested supporters to regularly check the ticket portal, as some matches that are currently listed as ‘unavailable' may change as they plan to release more tickets closer to the tournament.

FIFA World Cup resale window

As part of this final sales phase, FIFA are also reopening the official Resale/Exchange Marketplace on Thursday, 2 April. This is where official ticket holders can list any unwanted tickets at face value for interested parties.

Fans are urged to regularly check the resale marketplace as this is where tickets for highly-sought after matches are most likely to appear before and during the tournament. These tickets are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Andy is a freelance sports writer with ten years of experience covering major sporting events across Europe. He has also been a season ticket holder at Old Trafford since 2008 and has visited over 40 football stadiums in the United Kingdom and abroad following the Reds.

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