ESTC FIFA World Cup official application guidance update

 

We have analysed data from all members who have completed the official FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket application process for England’s matches so far.

Currently, all three group-stage matches, and the conditional Round of 16 match, are oversubscribed, therefore a ballot would be conducted for each of these games.

All other conditional knockout fixtures (Round of 32, Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, 3rd Place Play-off and Final) are undersubscribed, therefore, all members who have applied would be guaranteed a ticket as per the match-by-match guidance outlined below, based on current applications.

For each fixture, we’ve identified:

1) The active caps total an active England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) member will need to guarantee a ticket in the lowest-priced category (Supporter Entry Tier)

2) The active caps total an active ESTC member will need to guarantee a ticket in any available category (Supporter Value, Supporter Premier or Supporter Standard).

If your active caps total is below the level required to guarantee a ticket in either scenario, your application will be entered into a ballot as per the membership tournament ballot rules 6.3 to determine whether it is successful.

This guidance is based on actual applications completed by ESTC members using access codes assigned to them and used in FIFA’s ticketing portal, from Monday 15 December. The guidance is intended to help members secure the cheapest available tickets by following our advice.


Important Information:

- The information and guidance in this update is subject to change based on the volume of applications submitted to FIFA beyond this date and before 13 January 2026.

- We have been advised that accessible tickets such as wheelchair or easy access seating, where a carer/companion tickets is required, must be paid for. We are currently waiting on final allocations for these ticket categories and hope to provide a further update soon to offer more guidance.  At present, if you require these ticket types, you are advised to submit an application and await further instruction.  The below cap cut-off guidance does not currently apply to these ticket types.

- After the official application process is completed, payment will be taken by FIFA for all matches you are successful for.  It will be an “all or nothing” process, so please only apply for matches you are happy to pay for within the official application via FIFA.

- The below advice does not consider which category members have applied for.  For example, if you applied for a category 1 ticket and selected the option to move down, and the advice is now informing you that your caps total would guarantee you a ticket in category 3 based on current applications, you will need to edit your application to be considered for a ticket in this category.

- If you are applying with a junior member, and the below advice outlines that your junior member is guaranteed a different category than you, you are advised to resubmit an application whereby you apply following the guidance of the Junior member’s caps total.

FIFA rules outline that under-18s cannot apply on their own and must be included within an Adult + Junior application, which are assessed together. If the adult has a higher caps total than the junior, applying on the adult’s caps can risk both applications being unsuccessful. The best approach is to apply based on the lower (junior) caps total to avoid this risk.

- If a member is guaranteed a ticket, and has selected the option to move down, it will be prioritised based on active caps total.

- You can view the ticket allocations and prices here.

- If you need to edit your application, you can find advice on doing so here.


How the Supporter Entry Tier – Category 4 tickets will be allocated

The below has been shaped through consultation with supporters and the FSA.

Based on current applications; there are more Category 4 tickets available than Top Cappers applying. This means some members are guaranteed a Category 4 ticket, while others will be placed into a mini-ballot for any remaining tickets. The required caps total for each match is outlined below.

For the Quarter-Final, Semi-Final and Final, the price difference between Category 4 and Category 3 tickets is considerable, so we are introducing a new deadline.

Important deadline: action required

If you want to be considered for any Category 4 tickets, you must apply or edit your application by 5pm on Friday 2 January 2026.

After this deadline, any new brand new applications will not be considered for Category 4 tickets, regardless of caps total.  This is to help us offer exact guidance for this ticket category.

For all group stage matches, the Round of 32, Round of 16 and 3^rd Place Play-off, we will publish guidance similar to below before applications close.

For the Quarter Final, Semi-Final and Final, we will publish guidance similar to below and email all those who are entered into any resulting mini ballots directly to inform them if they have been successful/unsuccessful.  This will allow members time to edit their applications if they were successful for the higher category ticket.

Please note: Members will not see this category on the application portal.  If you are a top capper and have already applied for Category 3 (Supporter Value Tier) you do not need to update your application or select the option to move down.  This will be done for you once the application stage is complete and when the ESTC Team conduct any required ballots.  If you are a top capper and wish to now apply, please select the 'Supporter Value Tier - Category 3' option and you will be considered for the new 'Supporter Entry Tier' tickets automatically.

FIFA’s official application window closes on Tuesday 13 January 2026.

 

Match by Match Guidance

Match 22: England v Croatia

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 1006

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 1006

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1458

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 552

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 4022

Members who are on 5 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.

Members who have between 62 and 53 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 52 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 19 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

Members who have between 18 and 5 active caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

All members who meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria would be included within the top 70% of applicants for this match.

The remaining 30% of tickets would be balloted for all members between 4 and 2 active caps and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down.

Remaining members who are on fewer than 2 caps will not be entered into the ballot for this match as it stands. You are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down to be in with a chance should applications change.

 

Match 45: England v Ghana

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 973

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 973

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1404

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 539

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 3889

Members who are on 19 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.

Members who have between 62 and 57 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 56 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 27 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

Members who have between 26 and 19 active caps would be guaranteed a ticket in the top 70% and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

Members who meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria, but are below 19 active caps, would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

Members who are on between 18 and 2 caps who do not meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria will be entered into the ballot for all remaining tickets and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down.

Remaining members who are on fewer than 2 caps will not be entered into the ballot for this match as it stands. You are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down to be in with a chance should applications change.

 

Match 67: England v Panama

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 1207

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 1207

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1780

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 632

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 4826

Members who are on 13 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.

Members who have between 62 and 53 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 52 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 21 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

Members who have between 20 and 13 active caps would be guaranteed a ticket in the top 70% and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

Members who meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria, but are below 13 active caps, would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

Members who are on between 12 and 2 caps who do not meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria will be entered into the ballot for all remaining tickets and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down.

Remaining members who are on fewer than 2 caps will not be entered into the ballot for this match as it stands. You are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down to be in with a chance should applications change.

 

Round of 32: TBC

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 750

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 750

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1050

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 450

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 3000

We are currently undersubscribed for this game and therefore all Members who apply would be guaranteed a ticket.

Members who have between 62 and 49 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 48 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 17 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

Members who have between 16 and 2 active caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

All members on fewer than 2 caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down.

 

Round of 16: TBC

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 750

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 750

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1050

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 450

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 3000

Members who are on 11 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.

Members who have between 62 and 57 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 56 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 22 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

Members who have between 21 and 11 active caps would be guaranteed a ticket in the top 70% and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

All members who meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria would be included within the top 70% of applicants for this match.

The remaining 30% of tickets would be balloted for all members between 10 and 2 active caps and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down.

Remaining members who are on fewer than 2 caps will not be entered into the ballot for this match as it stands. You are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down to be in with a chance should applications change.

 

Quarter-Final: TBC

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 875

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 875

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1250

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 500

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 3500

We are currently undersubscribed for this game and therefore all Members who apply would be guaranteed a ticket.

Members who have between 62 and 44 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 43 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 7 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

Members who have between 6 and 2 active caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for a Supporter Standard – Category 2 ticket and select the option to move down.

All members on fewer than 2 caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down.

 

Semi-Final: TBC

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 875

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 875

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1250

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 500

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 3500

We are currently undersubscribed for this game and therefore all Members who apply would be guaranteed a ticket.

Members who have between 62 and 45 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 44 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 2 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

All members on fewer than 2 caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for Supporter Standard – Category 2 and select the option to move down.

 

3^rd Place Play-off: TBC

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 875

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 875

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1250

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 500

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 3500

We are currently undersubscribed for this game and therefore all Members who apply would be guaranteed a ticket.

Members who are on 2 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket and are advised to apply for Supporter Value – Category 3 and select the option to move down.

 

Final: TBC

The allocation and category splits for this fixture are as follows:

-Supporter Premier - Cat 1: 1125

-Supporter Standard - Cat 2 : 1125

-Supporter Value - Cat 3: 1650

-Supporter Entry – Cat 4: 600

-WC/Companion ($TBC): TBC

-Easy Access/Accessible ($TBC): TBC

-Total: 4500

We are currently undersubscribed for this game and therefore all Members who apply would be guaranteed a ticket.

Members who have between 62 and 57 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications.

Members who are on 56 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets

Members who are on 2 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications.

All members on fewer than 2 caps would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for Supporter Standard – Category 2 and select the option to move down.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We will continue to provide updates as the application process progresses to help supporters with their planning as much as possible. Any queries regarding your application can be directed to ESTC@TheFA.com.