The FIFA resale marketplace is the only second-hand ticket channel FIFA itself stands behind. If the match you want is sold out on FIFA.com/tickets, this is where you should look first — before StubHub, before social media, before any stranger offering tickets in a group chat. Here is exactly how it works.

How the resale platform works

The concept is simple. A ticket holder who can no longer attend lists their ticket on the official platform at face value. A buyer purchases it, FIFA takes a 15% fee from both the buyer and the seller, and the ticket transfers directly into the buyer's FIFA account. The ticket then appears in the FIFA app, ready for matchday. There is no physical ticket to post, no PDF to email, and no code to forward — the transfer happens inside FIFA's own system, which is what makes it safe.

What it costs

Sellers list at face value, so you never pay an inflated markup on the platform itself — but you do pay FIFA's 15% buyer fee on top of the ticket price, and the seller pays 15% too. On a $200 ticket, that means roughly $230 out of your pocket. That is still far cheaper than most secondary-market listings for the same seat, and it comes with a guarantee the ticket is real and will work at the gate. Compare that with the risk of paying $500 for a ticket that gets cancelled at the turnstile.

When tickets appear on resale

Resale listings appear in waves. The biggest wave comes after each sales phase closes, when fans who bought speculatively or whose plans changed list their extras. Another wave comes in the final weeks before the tournament, as travel plans firm up and some fans realise they cannot make it. The best strategy is to check the platform daily, set up alerts if available, and be ready to buy immediately — good seats at face value disappear in minutes, especially for popular teams and knockout matches.

What the resale platform does not do

The official resale platform does not cover hospitality packages, and it does not guarantee you will find a ticket for a specific match. High-demand games — the Final, the opening match, games involving the USA, Mexico, England or Brazil — may have very few listings, and they will be expensive even at face value. The platform also cannot help if you buy a ticket elsewhere and it turns out to be fake: FIFA's position is clear that tickets bought outside official channels risk cancellation.

Resale vs StubHub: which is better?

StubHub offers wider coverage and its FanProtect guarantee, which promises a valid ticket or a replacement or refund. But prices on StubHub are set by sellers and can be several times face value, and you must make sure the seller uses FIFA's official transfer feature. The official resale marketplace is cheaper and safer, but has less inventory. The smart approach: check the official platform first every day, and only turn to StubHub if you have a hard deadline and a specific match you cannot miss.

Frequently asked questions

Is the FIFA resale marketplace safe? Yes — it is run by FIFA and tickets transfer inside the FIFA system. What is the fee? 15% for the buyer and 15% for the seller. Can I sell my ticket if my team does not qualify? Yes, that is exactly what the platform is for. Can I resell a ticket I bought on StubHub? Only through FIFA's official transfer if the ticket is in your FIFA account. Do I need the FIFA app? Yes, all tickets are mobile-only in the FIFA app.