2026 FIFA World Cup Travel Guide: Planning Your Trip to USA, Canada & Mexico

2026 World Cup: A Practical Guide for International Fans

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history: 48 teams, 104 matches, 16 host cities across three countries. Having covered major sporting events and helped coordinate travel for fan groups, I've compiled what actually matters for international visitors planning to attend matches in person.

Tournament Overview

Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026

Host Countries: United States (11 cities), Mexico (3 cities), Canada (2 cities)

Format: 48 teams, expanded from 32

Phase	Dates	Matches	Cities
Group Stage	June 11-28	48 games	All 16 cities
Round of 32	June 29 - July 2	16 games	Multiple cities
Round of 16	July 3-6	8 games	Multiple cities
Quarterfinals	July 9-10	4 games	TBD
Semifinals	July 14-15	2 games	TBD
Third Place	July 18	1 game	TBD
Final	July 19	1 game	MetLife Stadium (New Jersey)

The Host Cities

United States (11 venues)

City	Stadium	Capacity	Notable Features
New York/NJ	MetLife Stadium	82,500	Final venue; open-air
Los Angeles	SoFi Stadium	70,000	Opening match; retractable roof
Dallas	AT&T Stadium	80,000	Retractable roof; massive screens
Miami	Hard Rock Stadium	65,000	Open-air; summer heat
Atlanta	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	71,000	Retractable roof; MARTA access
Seattle	Lumen Field	69,000	Strong soccer culture
San Francisco	Levi's Stadium	68,500	Tech hub; expensive
Houston	NRG Stadium	72,000	Retractable roof
Philadelphia	Lincoln Financial Field	69,000	Northeast corridor
Boston	Gillette Stadium	65,000	30 miles from downtown
Kansas City	Arrowhead Stadium	76,000	Central location; passionate fans

Mexico (3 venues)

City	Stadium	Capacity	Notable Features
Mexico City	Estadio Azteca	87,000	Legendary venue; altitude (2,240m)
Guadalajara	Estadio Akron	49,000	Modern facility
Monterrey	Estadio BBVA	53,000	Business hub; near US border

Canada (2 venues)

City	Stadium	Capacity	Notable Features
Toronto	BMO Field (expanded)	45,000	Downtown location
Vancouver	BC Place	54,000	Retractable roof

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Visa & Entry Requirements

United States

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA):

Citizens of 41 countries can travel visa-free with ESTA approval ($21, valid 2 years):

UK, Ireland, most EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Taiwan

B-1/B-2 Visa Required:

Most South American countries (except Chile)

All African countries

Most Middle Eastern countries

China, India, Russia

Application Timeline:

ESTA: Apply at least 72 hours before travel (recommend 2 weeks+)

B-1/B-2 visa: Apply 3-6 months ahead; interview wait times vary dramatically by country

> "During the 2022 World Cup qualifying cycle, US visa interview wait times in Brazil exceeded 500 days. Start early — this cannot be stressed enough." — Immigration attorney, Miami

Mexico

No visa required for most nationalities for stays under 180 days. This includes:

All EU citizens

USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia

Most Latin American countries

FMM Form (tourist card): Required for all visitors; obtained at airport or online before arrival.

Canada

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) required for visa-exempt countries ($7 CAD):

UK, EU, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Chile

Visitor Visa required:

Most African, Asian, and South American countries

Processing time: 2-8 weeks typically

Critical: Canada has stricter entry requirements than the US in some cases. If combining countries, verify requirements for each separately.

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Public Holidays & Time-Off Strategy

Key Public Holidays During the Tournament

United States:

June 19 (Juneteenth) — Federal holiday

July 4 (Independence Day) — Major holiday; businesses closed; domestic travel peaks

Mexico:

No major national holidays during tournament dates

Canada:

July 1 (Canada Day) — National holiday

Strategic Leave Planning

For workers with limited PTO, here's how to maximize match attendance:

Minimum Trip (5-7 days):

Target group stage: 3 matches in nearby cities over 5 days

Example: NYC → Philadelphia → Boston cluster

Two-Week Trip (June 11-28):

Covers entire group stage

Use Juneteenth as one holiday day (US workers)

10 PTO days required (assuming standard M-F schedule)

Full Tournament (June 11 - July 19):

39 days total

Most employers won't approve this without early planning

Consider: unpaid leave, sabbatical, remote work arrangements

For European fans:

June typically has few public holidays; plan to use annual leave

Group stage weekends: June 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 reduce weekday games missed

> "I'm taking the full 6 weeks. Started saving PTO two years ago, spoke to my manager 18 months out. If you want to see more than a few matches, this isn't a last-minute decision." — Forum post, BigSoccer

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Flight Booking Strategy

Timing Windows

When to Book	Price Expectation	Risk Level
18+ months out	Baseline pricing	Schedule changes likely
12 months out	Often lowest prices	Moderate risk
6 months out	10-20% premium	Lower risk
3 months out	30-50% premium	Minimal changes
Last month	50-100%+ premium	Full pricing

Route Optimization

From Europe:

Direct flights available to most US venues from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Amsterdam

Consider: transatlantic to East Coast, then domestic flights west

Open-jaw tickets (fly into NYC, out of LA) often cheaper than returns

From South America:

Mexico City, Miami, Houston are common hubs

Copa Airlines (Panama) and LATAM offer good connectivity

Consider: multiple stops at US venues en route

From Asia/Oceania:

West Coast entry (LA, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver) minimizes initial jet lag

Trans-Pacific flights: book early; limited capacity versus Atlantic routes

Consider: stopover in Hawaii or West Coast before heading east

Domestic US flights:

Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier for budget options

American, Delta, United for reliability and connections

Book domestic legs separately if international fares are better as one-ways

Airport Proximity

City	Primary Airport	Distance to Stadium
New York	EWR (Newark)	5 miles to MetLife
Los Angeles	LAX	10 miles to SoFi
Dallas	DFW	20 miles to AT&T
Mexico City	MEX	10 miles to Azteca
Toronto	YYZ	18 miles to BMO Field
Vancouver	YVR	14 miles to BC Place

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Accommodation Strategy

Price Reality Check

Hotel rates during major sporting events typically surge 200-400%. For the 2026 World Cup:

Pre-Tournament Estimates (per night, standard hotel):

City	Normal Rate	Expected World Cup Rate
New York	$200-300	$500-900
Los Angeles	$180-280	$450-800
Miami	$150-250	$400-700
Mexico City	$80-150	$200-400
Toronto	$150-250	$350-600

Booking Strategies

Book early, refundable:

Many hotels offer free cancellation until 24-48 hours before

Lock in rates now; cancel if prices drop or plans change

Check refund policies carefully — some "deals" are non-refundable

Alternative accommodations:

Airbnb/VRBO: Prices will surge but may offer better value for groups

University dorms: Some schools rent rooms in summer — check availability early

Suburban hotels: 30-minute drive can save 50% — verify public transit options

Multi-city stays:

Don't book all nights in advance if following knockout rounds

Consider: hotel loyalty points for flexibility

> "For Russia 2018, I booked refundable hotels in every potential knockout round city. Cancelled 6 of them. Cost nothing except time." — Experienced World Cup traveler, interview

Neighborhood Recommendations

New York/New Jersey:

Near MetLife: Secaucus, East Rutherford (limited options)

Better value: Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken (PATH train to NYC, shuttle to stadium)

Premium: Manhattan (plan for traffic/transit to NJ)

Los Angeles:

Near SoFi: Inglewood (limited), El Segundo

Better value: Downtown LA, Koreatown (Metro access)

Avoid: Santa Monica, Beverly Hills (far, expensive)

Mexico City:

Near Azteca: Coyoacán (charming neighborhood)

Central: Roma, Condesa (best for visitors)

Budget: Historic Center (mixed areas)

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Match Day Logistics

Getting to the Stadium

United States — Car Culture Reality:

Most US stadiums assume you're driving. Public transit exists but varies wildly:

City	Transit Quality	Stadium Access
New York	Excellent	NJ Transit + shuttle from Secaucus
Atlanta	Good	MARTA direct to stadium
San Francisco	Moderate	Caltrain + shuttle; VTA light rail
Dallas	Limited	No direct transit; shuttle from lots
Kansas City	Poor	Essentially car-only

Mexico — Metro is key:

Mexico City: Estadio Azteca is Metro accessible (Line 2, Tasqueña direction)

Guadalajara: Light rail to stadium area

Monterrey: Metro + walking

Canada:

Toronto: Streetcar and walking distance from downtown

Vancouver: SkyTrain to nearby stations

Matchday Timeline

Hours Before	Activity
6-8 hours	Arrive in host city if traveling that day
4-5 hours	Find fan zone / pre-match atmosphere
3 hours	Begin journey to stadium
2 hours	Gates typically open
1 hour	In your seat
Kickoff	Enjoy

What to Bring / Leave Behind

Essential:

Mobile ticket (screenshot backup)

Photo ID (passport for international travelers)

Small clear bag (NFL-style rules expected)

Sunscreen (day games; June/July sun is intense)

Phone charger / portable battery

Leave at hotel:

Large bags (will be denied entry)

Professional cameras (check specific rules)

Outside food/drink (not permitted)

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Budget Planning

Cost Breakdown: 14-Day Trip (Group Stage Focus)

Budget Tier (sharing accommodation, value flights):

Item	Estimated Cost (USD)
Flights (Europe → US round-trip)	$800-1,200
Accommodation (14 nights, shared)	$1,400-2,100
Match tickets (3 games, Cat 3)	$300-600
Food & drink (14 days)	$700-1,000
Internal transport	$300-500
Misc (souvenirs, emergencies)	$200-300
Total	$3,700-5,700

Mid-Range Tier (private room, better seats):

Item	Estimated Cost (USD)
Flights	$1,200-2,000
Accommodation (14 nights)	$2,800-4,200
Match tickets (4 games, Cat 2)	$800-1,400
Food & drink	$1,000-1,500
Internal transport	$500-800
Misc	$300-500
Total	$6,600-10,400

Premium Tier (finals, prime hotels):

Item	Estimated Cost (USD)
Flights (business class)	$5,000-10,000
Accommodation (14 nights, 4-star+)	$7,000-14,000
Match tickets (5+ games, Cat 1, final)	$3,000-8,000
Food & drink	$2,000-3,000
Internal transport	$1,000-2,000
Misc	$500-1,000
Total	$18,500-38,000

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Ticket Acquisition

FIFA Ticket Sales (Official)

Sales Phases (expected):

Pre-sale lottery: (late 2025): Register on FIFA.com; random selection

First-come-first-served: (early 2026): Remaining inventory

Last-minute sales: (close to tournament): Returned tickets, cancelled orders

Pricing Structure (estimated based on 2022):

Category	Group Stage	R16	QF	SF	Final
Cat 1	$250-350	$400	$500	$700	$1,500+
Cat 2	$150-220	$250	$350	$450	$900+
Cat 3	$70-120	$150	$200	$300	$500+

Supporter tickets (for residents of participating countries): Lower prices, restricted sales.

Resale Market Reality

FIFA operates an official resale platform (face value transfers). Secondary markets will exist:

StubHub, Viagogo, SeatGeek: Prices often 2-5x face value

Risk: Fraudulent tickets exist; FIFA has cracked down on unauthorized resales

Advice: Official resale only unless you accept the risk

> "I've bought on the secondary market for three World Cups. One time the ticket didn't work — worst feeling walking away from a stadium. Now I only use official channels even if it means seeing fewer games." — Reddit r/soccer

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Weather Considerations

June-July Conditions by City

City	Average High	Humidity	Notes
Miami	89°F (32°C)	Very high	Afternoon storms common
Houston	94°F (34°C)	High	Heat index regularly 100°F+
Dallas	96°F (36°C)	Moderate	Stadium has A/C
Mexico City	77°F (25°C)	Moderate	Altitude; afternoon rain
Los Angeles	84°F (29°C)	Low	Comfortable; stadium has roof
New York	85°F (29°C)	Moderate-high	Humid but manageable
Seattle	73°F (23°C)	Low	Pleasant; rare rain in summer
Vancouver	71°F (22°C)	Low	Most pleasant venue
Toronto	79°F (26°C)	Moderate	Summer thunderstorms

Packing for Weather

Southern US cities (Miami, Houston, Dallas):

Light, breathable clothing

Hat and quality sunglasses

Sunscreen SPF 50+

Portable fan (battery-powered)

Hydration strategy

Northern US / Canada:

Layers (mornings/evenings can be cool)

Light rain jacket

Standard summer clothing

Mexico City:

Light jacket (cooler due to altitude)

Rain gear (afternoon showers June-July)

Altitude adjustment time (2,240m affects some visitors)

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Multi-City Travel

Efficient Routes

East Coast Triangle:

New York → Philadelphia → Boston

All within Amtrak corridor

3 cities, 3 venues, minimal flights

Best for European travelers entering via NYC

Texas Triangle:

Dallas → Houston → (Mexico: Monterrey)

Dallas-Houston: 240 miles, 3.5 hours drive or 1-hour flight

Houston-Monterrey: 480 miles, possible day trip if driving

Good for seeing US and Mexico matches

West Coast + Mexico:

Los Angeles → San Francisco → Guadalajara → Mexico City

LA-SF: 380 miles, 1-hour flight or 6-hour drive

Fly LA or SF to Mexico

Covers multiple climates and cultures

Canadian Focus:

Vancouver → Seattle → Toronto

Vancouver-Seattle: 140 miles, 3 hours by car/bus

Seattle-Toronto: Flight required (4+ hours)

Both Canadian venues plus strong US soccer city

Cross-Border Considerations

US ↔ Mexico:

Multiple daily flights between US border cities and Mexican venues

Driving across: Expect 1-3 hour waits at land borders during peak times

Return to US requires full immigration process each time

US ↔ Canada:

Toronto-Boston/NYC corridor well-connected

Vancouver-Seattle is easy drive or bus

NEXUS card speeds border crossings (apply far in advance)

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Health & Safety

Medical Preparation

For all travelers:

Travel insurance with medical coverage (minimum $100,000 recommended)

Verify coverage in all three countries

Bring prescription medications in original containers

Pack basic first aid kit

For Mexico City specifically:

Altitude sickness affects some visitors (2,240m / 7,350 ft)

Arrive 1-2 days early to adjust

Avoid heavy meals and alcohol first day

Drink extra water

Personal Safety

General guidance:

US, Canada, Mexico City tourist areas are generally safe

Standard city precautions: stay aware of surroundings

Stadium security will be extensive

Fan zones:

Expect heavy police presence

Report issues to event staff immediately

Know emergency contact numbers for each country

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Calendar Planning Tips

Building Your Schedule

Start with match draw (December 2025):

Group assignments determine which teams play where

Don't book specific tickets/flights until draw is complete

Follow your team's group stage cities first

Book in this order:

International flights (most volatile pricing)

Hotels in primary cities

Match tickets (when available)

Domestic transport

Flexible nights (keep some unbooked for knockout rounds)

Using Calendar Tools

World Cup planning involves tracking multiple timelines across three countries and numerous cities. Keeping everything organized matters:

Create a shared calendar with your travel group

Input tentative matches, flights, and hotel bookings

Track ticket sales windows and payment deadlines

Note public holidays that affect business hours

Tools that show holiday calendars across different countries help avoid surprises — July 4th in the US means limited services, Canada Day affects Toronto and Vancouver, and local observances might close businesses when you need them.

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Final Preparation Checklist

18 months out (Now - December 2025):

[ ] Register for FIFA ticket lottery

[ ] Verify passport validity (6+ months beyond July 2026)

[ ] Apply for visa if required

[ ] Join fan groups for your country

[ ] Set airfare alerts for likely routes

[ ] Begin discussing PTO with employer

12 months out (After group draw):

[ ] Book international flights

[ ] Reserve refundable hotels in group stage cities

[ ] Confirm visa appointments if needed

[ ] Calculate detailed budget

6 months out:

[ ] Finalize match ticket purchases

[ ] Book domestic transport between cities

[ ] Purchase travel insurance

[ ] Finalize accommodation

1 month out:

[ ] Download FIFA ticketing app

[ ] Screenshot all confirmations

[ ] Prepare physical document copies

[ ] Exchange some currency in advance

[ ] Send final itinerary to emergency contacts

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The Bottom Line

The 2026 World Cup will be massive, expensive, and logistically challenging. It will also be historic — the first 48-team tournament, the first tri-nation host, and the first World Cup in North America since 1994.

Whether it's worth the investment depends on your circumstances. For fans who've dreamed of attending a World Cup, who can manage the logistics and budget, and who plan methodically: this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Start early. Book flexible. Stay organized. And enjoy the beautiful game.