Get ready for the most capitalist soccer experience of your life, Bay Area! The 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket lottery is about to drop, but there’s a major catch - you’ll need a Visa card to even dream of scoring tickets.

The Corporate Game Plan

FIFA is playing hardball with ticket sales, essentially telling soccer fans that their banking status determines their World Cup dreams. Only Visa cardholders can enter the first round of the ticket lottery, which kicks off September 10th. Sorry, Mastercard users - you’ll have to wait until December to join the game.

Stadium Shenanigans

In a hilarious twist of corporate sponsorship, Levi’s Stadium won’t even be called Levi’s Stadium during the World Cup. Instead, it’ll be dubbed the “San Francisco Bay Area Stadium” - because apparently, FIFA’s sponsorship rules are more complicated than offside calls.

Ticket Lottery Details

The games will take place in Santa Clara from June 13th to July 1st, covering group rounds and a Round of 32 match. But remember, your financial status is now your soccer passport. Visa’s Chief Marketing Officer Frank Cooper III proudly proclaimed this exclusive ticket access as “helping fans” - we’re sure fans feel totally helped right now.

Welcome to the 2026 World Cup, where your credit card matters more than your soccer passion!