Hosts & Match Cities
The 2026 World Cup is hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities: US — Atlanta (Mercedes‑Benz Stadium), Foxborough/Boston area (Gillette Stadium), Arlington/Dallas (AT&T Stadium), Houston (NRG Stadium), Kansas City (Arrowhead), Inglewood/Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium), Miami (Hard Rock Stadium), East Rutherford/New York‑NJ (MetLife Stadium), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), Santa Clara/San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium), Seattle (Lumen Field). Canada — Toronto (BMO Field), Vancouver (BC Place). Mexico — Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), Monterrey (Estadio BBVA).
Format & Who’s Playing
Expanded to 48 national teams. Hosts (USA, Canada, Mexico) qualify automatically; remaining teams earn places through confederation qualifying and intercontinental playoffs. Final team list will be confirmed after qualifiers conclude.
Where to Buy Tickets
Buy only via FIFA’s official ticketing portal and FIFA‑approved hospitality/travel partners. National associations may offer team packages. Avoid unofficial resellers and social‑media offers.
Travel & Accommodation Tips
Book flights and hotels as soon as tickets are confirmed. Check visas/ETA for the US, Canada and Mexico. Expect stadium security checks, different currencies (USD, CAD, MXN) and varying local transport options.
Stadium Rules & Safety
Review venue‑specific prohibited items, accessibility options, and arrival time recommendations on host‑city official sites.
Final Checklist (quick)
Tickets secured, passport/visa, flight & hotel bookings, travel insurance, local currency/cards, stadium rules, mobile ticketing ready.
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Essential (apply to all cities)
- Confirm match ticket(s) and mobile delivery.
- Passport and any required visa/ETA (check earliest deadlines).
- Flight booked + arrival at least 1 day before match.
- Hotel/reservation within 60–90 min of stadium (sooner for finals).
- Local transport plan (metro, shuttle, rideshare, parking).
- Local currency & cards; contactless accepted.
- Travel insurance with medical and trip-cancellation coverage.
- Stadium bag policy checked; small clear bag recommended.
- Phone charger, portable battery, local SIM or roaming plan.
- Arrive 90–120 minutes before kickoff for security lines and fan activities.
- Emergency numbers and nearest embassy/consulate info.
City-specific notes
- Atlanta (Mercedes‑Benz): Use MARTA + walk/ride to stadium; heavy traffic on US I routes.
- Foxborough/Boston (Gillette): Trains from Boston (MBTA/commuter rail) and shuttle from parking lots.
- Arlington/Dallas (AT&T): Large parking zones; consider Cowboys venue traffic.
- Houston (NRG): METRO light rail and event shuttles common.
- Kansas City (Arrowhead): Parking-heavy — use shuttle/park-and-ride.
- Los Angeles/Inglewood (SoFi): Allow extra time for LA traffic; rideshare pick-up/drop-off zones enforced.
- Miami (Hard Rock): Expect heat/humidity — hydrate, sun protection.
- East Rutherford/NY‑NJ (MetLife): NJ Transit and PATH options; leave extra time for security.
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial): SEPTA and stadium shuttles; city-center stays recommended.
- Santa Clara/SF Bay (Levi’s): Caltrain + local shuttles; San Francisco accommodation options.
- Seattle (Lumen): Light rail and ferry options; cooler coastal weather.
- Toronto (BMO): TTC and GO Transit; check Blue Jays schedule for local conflicts.
- Vancouver (BC Place): SkyTrain access; typically walkable from downtown.
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca): High altitude — pace yourself; use authorized taxis/rideshares.
- Guadalajara (Estadio Akron): Traffic can be heavy; plan local transit.
- Monterrey (Estadio BBVA): Warm climate — hydrate; local transit and taxis common.
- Sample 7–10 day fan itinerary (sample for a U.S. city-hopping trip — adjust for your match locations) Day 0 — Arrive in host country city A, check-in, rest, collect tickets/gear.
Day 1 — Local sightseeing, visit fan zone, early-night prep for match.
Day 2 — Match in city A (arrive early), post-match fan events, rest.
Day 3 — Travel to city B (domestic flight or long drive), check-in, light sightseeing.
Day 4 — Match in city B, post-match local celebration.
Day 5 — Recovery day — explore city, visit museums/landmarks.
Day 6 — Travel to city C, check-in, attend fan festival or team meetup.
Day 7 — Match in city C, evening travel to next city or rest depending on schedule.
Day 8 — Buffer day — contingency for delayed travel / extra match or rest.
Day 9 — Final match or travel home (allow full day for transit).
Day 10 — Return home; keep ticket stubs and receipts for memories/expenses.
Weekly monitoring plan (what I’ll provide each week, GMT)
- Summary of FIFA ticket sale phases (upcoming dates, current open phases, deadlines).
- Any new official FIFA announcements (schedules, venue changes, ticketing policy).
- Notable national association updates (ticket packages, fan travel offers).
- Travel alerts affecting host cities (visa, entry rules, major transport disruptions).
- Quick action items if needed (e.g., “Tickets for Phase X open on DATE — register now”).
Delivery format: a concise bullet summary here in chat every week (GMT), plus immediate alerts here if a major announcement occurs.