FIFA has officially opened the media accreditation process for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, inviting media representatives and non-rights holders (NRHs) to apply.
As in previous tournaments, FIFA has allocated a fixed number of accreditations to Member Associations for written press and photographers. Ghana, for example, has been assigned 10 slots for written press and two for photographers.
The accreditation does not cover broadcasters, including radio and television stations, or media organisations holding broadcast rights. Non-rights holders may register independently via the FIFA Media Hub, which will also provide photographers with opportunities as additional slots become available.
Key Dates
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Accreditation opens: 26 January 2026
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Application deadline: 31 March 2026
Who Can Apply
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Written press (print and digital)
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Photographers
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International and national news agencies
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Radio and TV non-rights holders (limited)
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FIFA Media Partners (rights holders)
FIFA Media Partners will be accredited directly by the FIFA Media Partnerships team, which communicates with organisations about the process.
FIFA Media Hub – Mandatory
All applications must be submitted via the FIFA Media Hub. Applicants must have a personal, approved account, which may not be shared.
Accreditation Control Keys & Quotas
Written press and photographer accreditation is managed through FIFA Member Associations, which distribute control keys to media organisations and freelancers. The allocation is based on past World Cup participation and 2026 qualification status.
Non-right holders (NRHs), including radio and television companies without media rights, can apply without a control key. However, the number of NRH accreditations is limited, and matchday access policies are still to be defined. Questions can be directed to nrh@fifa.org.
Host Countries (Canada, Mexico, USA)
Media representatives in these countries follow a process coordinated directly by FIFA. More information is available via the FIFA Media Hub.
Application & Approval
Applications close on 31 March 2026. All applicants will undergo a mandatory security check, and confirmations will begin in March 2026.
Media Tickets
Accreditation grants access to stadium media centres only. Matchday access—such as press conference attendance, mixed zone access, or designated photo positions—requires a separate approved media ticket. Tickets can be requested via the FIFA Media Hub or FIFA Media App, with a maximum of one match per day during the group stage.
Visas
Media representatives are advised to begin visa applications early. Visa processing is independent of accreditation approval.
Stay Informed
All updates, procedures, and FAQs will be published on the FIFA Media Hub. For questions regarding profiles or accreditation, contact FIFA via the Media Hub Contact Form.
