Football’s global governing body FIFA has announced that another batch of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will go on sale this Wednesday, just weeks before the tournament gets underway.

The latest release will include access to matches across all 104 games scheduled for the expanded tournament, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Fans will be able to purchase tickets through FIFA’s official platform on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 3pm.

Organisers have also indicated that additional tickets will continue to be released in phases right up until the final on 19 July, depending on availability. This rolling release strategy is aimed at managing demand and giving more supporters a chance to attend matches as logistics and allocations are finalised.

Interest in the 2026 tournament has already reached unprecedented levels. FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently revealed that more than five million tickets have already been sold, surpassing previous sales trends for the competition at this stage.

The 2026 edition is set to be the largest World Cup in history, featuring an expanded format and more host venues. With 16 stadiums across three countries, total ticket availability is expected to reach around seven million—significantly higher than past tournaments. For comparison, the previous record for ticket sales stood at approximately 3.5 million during the 1994 World Cup, which was also hosted in the United States.

Despite the excitement, ticket pricing has become a major talking point among fans. Premium seats, particularly for high-profile matches such as the final, have reached prices exceeding $10,000, with costs fluctuating further on secondary markets. FIFA has defended its pricing model, explaining that it reflects exceptionally high global demand.

The organisation has adopted a dynamic pricing system for certain matches, meaning ticket prices can rise as demand increases. While this approach is common in major global events, it has drawn criticism from some supporters who argue that it limits accessibility for ordinary fans.

There have also been mixed reports around demand for specific fixtures, particularly those involving host nations. However, FIFA maintains that overall ticket sales remain strong, with high interest across all matches and venues.

With just weeks to go before kick-off, anticipation continues to build for what is expected to be a landmark tournament in football history. The upcoming ticket release is likely to trigger another surge in demand as fans around the world race to secure their place at the biggest World Cup ever staged.

Orlando Pirates could be handed a significant lift ahead of this weekend’s highly anticipated Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs, with key players Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa expected to return to action at a crucial stage of the season.

Both players have reportedly resumed full training and are being assessed for possible selection on Sunday, after missing Pirates’ convincing 3-0 win over AmaZulu FC last weekend. Their return would come at an important moment for the Buccaneers, who are looking to maintain strong momentum in the league while preparing for one of the most fiercely contested fixtures in South African football.

The potential availability of Mbatha and Makgopa offers a timely boost for the Soweto giants, who continue to push for consistency as the title race intensifies. Squad depth has been a key factor for Pirates this season, and having experienced options back in contention could strengthen their approach in a match where fine margins often decide the outcome.

Pirates also received indirect encouragement in midweek after league rivals Mamelodi Sundowns dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch FC. The result ended Sundowns’ winning run and kept the pressure alive at the top end of the table, tightening the race for league honours.

The match also featured several notable performances with links to Pirates’ title challenge. Striker Tshegofatso Mabasa made an impact from the bench, finishing from close range after seeing an earlier penalty saved, while defender Olisa Ndah was part of a Stellenbosch side that managed to secure a hard-fought point against the reigning champions.

With the standings remaining closely contested, Pirates’ recent victory over AmaZulu has kept them firmly in the hunt, while Sundowns remain within striking distance with games in hand still to play. Every fixture from this point carries added weight, but the Soweto derby stands out as one of the most important.

Attention now shifts fully to Sunday’s showdown against Kaizer Chiefs, a fixture that always carries extra intensity regardless of form or league position. The possible return of Mbatha and Makgopa could provide Pirates with added tactical options as they aim to assert themselves in both the derby and the broader title race.

As anticipation builds, Pirates supporters will be hoping the squad’s returning strength translates into a strong performance in a match that often sets the tone for the closing stages of the season.

Wolves 1-2 Liverpool. Mohamed Salah’s second-half penalty sealed a 2-1 victory for Liverpool over winless Wolves, taking the Reds back to the top of the Premier League. Salah’s spot-kick restored Liverpool’s lead after Rayan Ait-Nouri had briefly equalized, canceling out Ibrahima Konaté’s first Premier League goal, which had given the visitors the advantage at Molineux.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool capitalized on Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle, reclaiming top spot from Arsenal with a hard-fought win. Wolves, however, remain at the foot of the table, still in search of their first win of the season.

Wolves Start Strong, but Liverpool Take Control
Wolves began with energy, showing early promise as Matheus Cunha tested Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. Despite some nervy moments in defense, the hosts opened brightly, but their season-long issue of failing to convert positive performances into results persisted.

As the first half progressed, Liverpool slowly took control. They nearly took the lead five minutes before the break when Virgil van Dijk threaded a pass to Diogo Jota, whose low cross found Dominik Szoboszlai. However, Sam Johnstone’s reflex save kept the game level.

Liverpool did finally break the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. Jota surged past Jorgen Strand Larsen, delivering a cross that found Konaté, who powered a header past Johnstone to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Salah’s Penalty Secures the Win
Liverpool could have doubled their lead early in the second half when Salah intercepted a wayward pass from Mario Lemina, but his shot flew wide of an open goal. Wolves took advantage of that missed opportunity, equalizing in the 56th minute. A mis-hit shot from Carlos Forbs fell to Ait-Nouri, who slotted in from close range after Larsen had caught Konaté off guard.

However, Wolves’ joy was short-lived. Just five minutes later, Nelson Semedo’s foul on Jota in the box handed Salah the chance to restore Liverpool’s lead, which he did with a calm penalty conversion.

Wolves Struggle to Convert Performances into Results
For Wolves, it was another frustrating afternoon, much like their recent defeats to Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa. Despite showing flashes of promise, Gary O’Neil’s side once again failed to turn a positive start into points. Ait-Nouri’s equalizer offered hope, but Semedo’s costly foul quickly undid their hard work.

With Brentford and Manchester City coming up, Wolves face a tough road ahead. If they can’t secure a win against Brighton by the end of October, they could head into November still searching for their first victory of the season. O’Neil had emphasized the need to convert positive moments into results, but Wolves’ failure to do so leaves their future looking bleak.

Liverpool’s Resilience Under Slot
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s victory marked their fifth win from six games, with only a surprise 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest marring their near-perfect start under new manager Arne Slot. Despite riding out an early storm from Wolves, Liverpool gradually took control and showed their resilience.

Slot’s Liverpool may not play with the “heavy metal football” of Jurgen Klopp’s era, but they are finding their rhythm. Salah’s penalty might have been a gift, but it returned Liverpool to the top of the league and showed their ability to bounce back quickly after conceding.

There were moments of concern, such as Konaté’s error that led to Wolves’ equalizer, but overall, Liverpool are developing a winning habit. They have shown they can overcome setbacks both during games and following defeats, and their upcoming clash with Arsenal at the Emirates next month already looms large as a key fixture in the title race.

source – BBC