Soccer fans were able to apply for tickets to watch specific matches at next year's World Cup for the first time on Thursday as FIFA opened up its latest phase of sales.

Following last week's draw for the 2026 tournament , which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, an updated schedule has been published.

That means fans know when and where the likes of Lionel Messi and Argentina will play. Previous ticket ballots were blind as the qualification period had not even been completed and the draw was yet to take place.

Now participating nations have been placed in groups, with their paths through the tournament determined. For instance, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could go on to meet in the quarterfinals in Kansas City if both Argentina and Portugal top their respec

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