Few world events can remind us of the extensive kinetic energy that the FIFA World Cup is holding. It’s not just soccer tournaments. It is a temporary, beautiful, and completely confused multicultural phenomenon. The flag is draped from the balcony, and the people at the bar are profanely drained onto the sidewalks at hours (thanks to the gaming schedule that doesn’t always stick to the global time zone), and for a solid six weeks (gifts or take), the whole soccer-loving planet gathers for a slightly less timeless time party. In 2026, the party is falling here in North America.
But are you planning this epic pilgrimage? That’s not that fun. The event, spread across three countries, the US, Mexico and Canada, cannot mention a record 48 teams with 48 teams hitting the pitch in more than 100 games. This is not an average holiday. It’s an expedition.
When and where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup will begin on June 11th and the finals will begin on July 19th. Already announced host cities operate colour gamuts ranging from bustling Mexico City and densely packed New York City to natural fueled Vancouver, Beach-Miami, Dallas, Sunny Los Angeles and Kansas City BBQ scented sprawls.
Each host city is set up to play at least three group stage matches, but advanced stage rounds spread between fewer destinations. By the time the tournament arrives in the quarterfinals on July 9th, things start to get really hot, and games will take place in Boston, Louisiana, Miami and Kansas City. Dallas and Atlanta will share their semi-final hosting operations before Miami welcomes the third place match at East Rutherford on July 19th and welcomes the New Jersey Grand Finale.
How to get tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Securing entries even in one match could be a high stakes competition. The official ticket sales process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun. It is done in stages via FIFA channels. The first phase of ticket sales (Visa Presale Draw) will be held at 11am on September 10th and until September 19th. As soon as these virtual gates open, Visa cardholders can register for lottery tickets hosted on the FIFA website. Lucky winners will be notified from September 29th, and box office revenue will be assigned certain time slots to purchase tickets starting October 1st.
The second lottery stage, early ticket draw, is scheduled to take place from October 27th to 31st, with ticket sales scheduled for mid-November. The rules reflect pre-sale visas. In Phase 3, registrations will be opened immediately after the 2026 Official World Cup draw on December 5th, when the tournament field is set, and a random selection draw will be introduced. This is when fans can submit ticket applications for individual group stage matches (in the opening round of the tournament, targeting round robin style before teams advance to single elimination knockout round brackets). FIFA close to kickoff will unfold the final first Come-First-Serve purchase period for the remaining tickets.
2026 FIFA World Cup ticket cost
Tickets for group stage games start at $60 per person. Entry into the Knockout Round – 32 single elimination rounds, 16 rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals, third place matches and grand finale cost over $7,000, with FIFA adopting a dynamic pricing model designed to fluctuate with demand. Is there a best way to make sure you’ve filmed to get the ticket you want? Register your interests online as soon as possible.
If you don’t mind that lottery ideas will put you off and drop cash, consider picking up one of FIFA’s ready-made hospitality packages. Starting at $1,350 per person per match, this expensive option comes in several different products, such as following a single match, venue series, or my team bundle. They have access to a set number of games to ticket buyers, in addition to the stylish all-inclusive stadium lounge. I’ll explain that in more detail later.
When it comes to flights, hotels and other plans, it’s no longer a “when” issue, it’s “now.” Prices will only rise from now, as 6.5 million fans around the world are expected to descend on 16 host cities. The sooner you book, the better it is, whether you need a transportation or a place to lay your head in the evening.
2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule
To identify details, we will provide a breakdown of the tournament by stage and location. The team and matchups are not yet confirmed, but FIFA has already confirmed the full match schedule.
Group Stage (June 11-27)
- Mexico: Mexico will hold tournaments in Mexico City and Guadalajara on June 11th, with Monterrey serving as an additional host city starting June 14th.
- Canada: The group stage will land in Toronto on June 12th, and Vancouver will also be hosting from June 13th.
- united states of america: The US will appear in Los Angeles on June 12th, with group stage matches being held in San Francisco, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Seattle before the end of the round.
Knockout Round (June 28th – July 19th)
- 32 rounds: Knockouts begin in Los Angeles on June 28th and run until July 3rd, stopping in Boston, Monterrey (Mexico), New York/New Jersey, Dallas, Mexico City, Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto, Vancouver, Miami and Kansas City.
- Rounds of 16: The second knockout round begins in Philadelphia on July 4th and travels to New York/New Jersey, Mexico City, Dallas, Seattle and Atlanta before culminating in Vancouver on July 7th.
- Quarterfinals: The eight teams will compete in the quarterfinals from July 9th to 11th, starting in Boston, before heading to LA, Miami and Kansas City.
- Semi-finals: The final four will take over Dallas and Atlanta on July 14th and 15th respectively.
- 3rd place playoffs: The third-place comfort match begins in Miami on July 18th.
- final: It all comes on July 19th as New World Champions lifts the trophy cup inside MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
What kind of World Cup traveler are you?
Of course, where you go depends on what you are trying to see and the amount of time you need to see it. What kind of World Cup traveler will this be in 2026? There are four approaches based on what kind of soccer fan you are.
Anchor Approach: Come to you the game
The easiest logistic option is the perfect plan for fans trying to avoid complicated trekking. The anchor approach is to choose a single host city and make it a temporary home for a long time where you can escape. Whether you’re checking out nearby big cities or captivating the less familiar ocean, the world is your oyster.
Let’s say you aim for New York City. Book a hotel in the city and commute to New Jersey MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford to catch some of the eight games that you plan to kick off in the wall. Then spend the rest of your time exploring New York. You’ll find a local sports bar for games outside of New York and meet fans from all over the world. While you may be able to participate in only a handful of matches this way, you will definitely bring you many sports and travel memories.
The Path of the Pilgrim: Follow your team
Perhaps the most romantic approach to World Cup trips, this is the ultimate show of loyalty. The idea is simple. Buy tickets for all games from your favorite team, whether you’re kicking off in Philadelphia or Guadalajara. This is a relatively simple question, as each team sets up base camps in three pre-determined cities to reduce travel. But if your team moves forward, if it crosses, that’s when logistics get complicated for you.
The appeal here lies in the community that is tailored to more social, flowing travelers and builds along the way. You will unite by matching your jerseys and shared anxiety and move along with an army of fellow fans who are constantly growing. You find yourself in an unexpected place, sightseeing with fellow soccer enthusiasts, and meet new friends in a new city.
A drawback? In this approach, flexibility is the rule of king and spontaneity. You need to be ready to pivot with a momentary notification. You will need to book your last flight, ticket and hotel. It can be expensive, exhausting, and logistical nightmare, but for a true stubborn person with a heart and an open schedule, it’s the only way.
Hub and Spoke Model: Focus on FIFA Footprint
This is a sweet spot for travelers who want to see as much as possible but are unable to commit to the fuss of team followers. Similar to the legacy aviation strategies tested in combat, the hub-and-spoke model is selecting a major hub and tacking several selected side trips in relative proximity to where you set up your shop.
Instead of following one team, this option allows you to follow the changing momentum of the tournament. For example, you can easily fly from nine total matches, including the semi-finals, to nine total matches, then a simple flight (to Kansas City or Monterrey, Mexico) that will easily fly from there (or embark on a slightly longer road trip). The same applies to the coast: LA, Seattle, San Francisco and Vancouver form linear flight paths, allowing easy travel between New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Atlanta by train if necessary.
Perfect for soccer fans who aren’t married to one team as much as the overall travel experience, this approach allows you to see a variety of games and Location while minimizing long distance travel. Enjoy multiple teams, fans and local culture without burning out. This is a great way to make the most of your time without breaking your bank.
Backseat Baller: Leave it to the pros
If you have the chance, booking a luxurious hospitality package is the ultimate “Prof to the Pro” World Cup trip move. There is an increasing number of sports-centric travel agents, including official FIFA partners, road trips, bucket list events and more that have been mentioned previously, taking stress out completely off the shoulder. . . At the price. Depending on the provider and the game you are looking for checkout, these trips can surge to over $10,000 per person.
However, these agents don’t just book flights and hotels. They curate a comprehensive travel itinerary, including premium seats, access to dedicated stadium lounges, on-site concierge services, quick stadium entry, and even meeting and greeting athletes. They can be a game changer for people that they want to ensure that every detail is perfect, but they don’t have time to hash it all themselves. This option comes at a higher price range, but can feel like a million dollar pitch side.
Conclusion
Ultimately, planning to visit a World Cup match is not different from the old parable, “Man’s Plan, God laughs.” You can land a perfect post-match dinner reservation just before the game you are participating in. That’s the nature of sports.
True victory is experience itself. They click on cold beer with strangers, chanting them all at once, and explode into spontaneous songs. But don’t forget that you do it, embrace the beautiful game and the beautiful madness it brings.
