FIFA World Cup 2026: Just 13 Days Until Kickoff, Nine African Teams Ready, and What Tickets Cost
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than two weeks away, with the tournament set to begin on June 11, 2026 – just 13 days from today (May 29, 2026). The opening match between Mexico and South Africa will kick off at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, marking the first time the tournament will be jointly hosted across three nations: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The tournament will conclude with the final on July 19, 2026, spanning 39 days of football action.
NINE AFRICAN TEAMS QUALIFIED – RECORD NUMBER FOR AFRICA
This historic World Cup features nine African nations, the most ever from the continent in a single tournament. All nine teams topped their qualifying groups and secured automatic qualification:
| AFRICAN TEAM | QUALIFICATION STATUS | NOTABLE FACT |
| Morocco | Qualified | Pot 2 draw seed; 2022 semi-finalists |
| Senegal | Qualified | Pot 2 seed; 2022 Round of 16 team |
| Algeria | Qualified | Pot 3 seed; 2019 AFCON champions |
| Tunisia | Qualified | Pot 3; didn’t concede a single goal in qualifying |
| Egypt | Qualified | Pot 3; Mohamed Salah’s fourth World Cup |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Qualified | Pot 3; 2023 AFCON champions |
| Ghana | Qualified | Pot 4; 2010 semi-finalists |
| Cape Verde | Qualified | Pot 4; first-ever World Cup appearance |
| South Africa | Qualified | Pot 3; Bafana Bafana return after 2010 |
Cape Verde is making its World Cup debut – a remarkable achievement for the tiny island nation. South Africa is returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, while Tunisia is appearing in their third consecutive tournament.
The 2026 World Cup has seen ticket prices increase by more than 300% compared to Qatar 2022, making it the most expensive tournament in history. Here’s what tickets cost in USD and their approximate value in South African Rands (ZAR):
| MATCH/CATEGORY | ORIGINAL USD PRICE | ZAR EQUIVALENT (≈R18/$) |
| Opening Match (Cat 3) | $895 | R16,110 |
| Opening Match (Final Resale) | $5,324 | R95,832 |
| Final (Cat 3) | $3,450 | R62,100 |
| Final (Resale Record) | $143,750 | R2,587,500 |
| Final (Cheapest Resale) | $9,775 | R175,950 |
| Group Stage (Cat 3) | $100–$400 | R1,800–R7,200 |
| Supporters Groups Special | $60 | R1,080 |
The cheapest available ticket for the final on FIFA’s resale platform is $9,775 (R175,950) – astronomical for most fans. FIFA introduced some $60 (R1,080) tickets specifically for official supporters groups to improve accessibility.
Ticket prices have skyrocketed on FIFA’s official resale platform, with many seats listed at several times their face value. The opening match between Mexico and South Africa saw Category 3 seats jump from $895 to $5,324 (R16,110 to R95,832) – a 495% increase.
FIFA applies “variable pricing” based on demand and availability for each match, though it emphasizes prices are not automatically adjusted through dynamic pricing.
With the tournament kicking off in 13 days, fans have just under two weeks to prepare. The World Cup will be the most expanded ever with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in the three host nations – a historic milestone for international football.
For South African fans hoping to attend Bafana Bafana’s matches, including the opening game on June 11, tickets remain expensive but the opportunity to see their team on the biggest stage is priceless.