Final World Cup application guidance for England Supporters Travel Club

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 and can now offer our final guidance for each fixture.

As there has been a shift in the volume of applications, members are strongly advised to review the guidance carefully and amend their applications where required before the deadline.

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. 

Currently 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.  

For each fixture, we’ve identified: 

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

-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, however, as applications are still live, this guidance is still subject to change for all categories other than the Supporter Entry Tier - Category 4 tickets.


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.  If the below outlines that you are on the cusp of a category, you can apply for a higher category and select the option to move down, but we would only advise you do this if you are willing to pay for the higher category ticket.  The below information is published to offer guidance to members who have applied and who are thinking of applying, and should not be treated as confirmation of tickets or specific ticket categories unless otherwise stated in relation to the Supporter Entry Tier - Category 4 tickets.

- All Supporter Entry Tier – Category 4 tickets have now been balloted as per our most recent update.

-We have been advised accessible tickets such as wheelchair or easy access seating where a carer/companion tickets is required must be paid for. We are still currently waiting on final allocations for these ticket categories and are continuing to escalate this issue.  Our advice to anyone wanting tickets in this allocation at present is to apply, in the applicable WC or EA category you wish to be successful for and await further instructions.

- If you have accidentally applied for ‘Easy Access’ seating, this may affect your ballot result outcome.  In your confirmation email from FIFA, you will see the words ‘Easy Access’ in front of each ticket you have applied for.  You can still edit your application up until 13 January 2026 if you have incorrectly applied for these tickets.

-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 you would be guaranteed a ticket in category 3, you will need to edit your application to be considered for the new 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 you have previously linked an application with another member, but have had to cancel/re-apply, you will have been allocated a new application number by FIFA and therefore need to re-link your applications. Please note linking applications in this manner will not impact ballot results.

-FIFA’s official application window closes on Tuesday 13 January 2026.
 
-If a member is guaranteed a ticket, and has selected the option to move down, it will be prioritised based on active caps total. 
 
-If you need to edit your application, you can find advice on doing so here. 


How the Supporter Entry Tier – Category 4 ticket holders will be notified

Based on current applications; there are more Category 4 tickets available than Top Cappers who applied for each fixture. Therefore, all Top Cappers who applied by the deadline of Friday 2 January 2026, are guaranteed a Category 4 ticket for the matches they applied for.

Mini-ballots were required for any remaining Category 4 tickets on a match-by-match basis. The required caps total for each match is outlined below.

As outlined in our most recent update, the ballot for Category 4 tickets has now taken place and the results will soon be confirmed to members. 

Information on how these tickets were allocated is outlined here.

All members who are guaranteed a ticket, based on their caps totals, are now confirmed at this price category.

All members who were entered into a mini-ballot for Supporter Entry Tier – Category 4 tickets will be emailed their results on a game-by-game basis by the end of the week. i.e. if a mini-ballot was held for a fixture for members who are on 58 caps, then all members who have applied for that fixture, and who are on 58 caps, will be emailed to inform them if they have been successful or not for this price type.

Top cappers who are guaranteed a ticket based on their caps will not receive an email regarding their result as they are assumed successful.

Please Note: The ballot, and results, for all other fixtures and ticket categories will not take place until after January 13, 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 17 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.  

Members who have between 62 and 59 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 58 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 17 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 meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria, but are below 17 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 16 and 2 caps who do not meet the 4 home 2 away matches attended criteria would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for Supporter Premier – Category 1 and select the option to move down. 

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

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 25 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.  

Members who have between 62 and 59 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 58 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets 

Members who are on 35 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who have between 34 and 25 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 25 active caps, would be guaranteed a ticket and are advised to apply for a Supporter Premier – Category 1 ticket and select the option to move down. 

Members who are on between 24 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 19 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.  

Members who have between 62 and 59 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 58 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets 

Members who are on 30 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who have between 29 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. 

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 59 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 58 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets 

Members who are on 24 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who have between 23 and 15 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 14 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 22 active caps or above are in the top 70% of applicants for this match.  

Members who have between 62 and 61 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 60 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets 

Members who are on 37 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who have between 36 and 22 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 22 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 21 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. 

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 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 23 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who have between 22 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 on fewer than 4 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 59 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 58 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. 

All members on fewer than 18 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.  

Based on current applications all active members who 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 61 active caps would be guaranteed Supporter Entry – Category 4 ticket based on current applications. 

Members who are on 60 active caps would be entered into a mini-ballot for any remaining Supporter Entry – Category 4 tickets 

Members who are on 23 active caps or more would be guaranteed a Supporter Value – Category 3 ticket based on current applications. 

All members on fewer than 22 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 as much as possible. Any queries regarding your application can be directed to ESTC@TheFA.com.