World Cup 2026Complete Fan Guide

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd edition featuring 48 teams (up from 32) playing 104 matches across 16 stadiums in USA, Canada, and Mexico from June 11-July 19, 2026. This marks the first time three countries have co-hosted and the first expansion to 48 teams.

Source: FIFA.com official announcement (verified Dec 10, 2025).

FIFA releases tickets in multiple phases:

✓ Completed: Random Selection Draw phase ended January 13, 2026.

Upcoming: Chase Sapphire and Bank of America cardholders have exclusive access on February 10, 2026. The Last-Minute Sales phase is expected to begin in April 2026.

Sign up on FIFA.com for official notifications.

Yes! All 16 stadiums welcome children of all ages. Each child needs their own ticket regardless of age. Most venues offer:

• Family sections with kid-friendly seating
• Nursing rooms and changing facilities
• Kid-friendly food options
• Accessible restrooms

Check our Family Travel Guide for stadium-specific amenities.

It depends on your nationality and which countries you're visiting:

USA: Most visitors need ESTA ($21, apply online, valid 2 years) or a visa.

Canada: eTA required for visa-exempt nationals (CAD $7, online application) or a visa.

Mexico: Many nationalities receive visa-free entry with 180-day tourist permit on arrival.

Our comprehensive Visa Requirements Guide covers requirements for all three countries by nationality.

Use the "Hub City Strategy":

1. Base yourself in affordable cities like Dallas ($200/night), Kansas City ($180/night), or Houston ($210/night)
2. Attend local matches in your hub city
3. Take positioning flights to nearby cities for marquee matches
4. Book hotels 6+ months in advance
5. Consider Round of 32 matches for best value ($75-$600 vs $500-$2,500 for Final)
6. Use Airbnb for groups of 3+

This strategy can save $1,500-$2,500 compared to following your team city-to-city. See our Complete Budget Guide.

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York/NJ metro area) will host the Final on July 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM EDT.

Stadium Details:
• Capacity: 82,500 seats (expanded for World Cup)
• Location: 12 miles from Manhattan
• Access: NJ Transit train from Penn Station NYC (30 min, $5-15)
• Hotels: Book 6+ months ahead; expect $400-600/night near stadium

See our MetLife Stadium Complete Guide for parking, transportation, and seating tips.

By Air (Fastest): Budget airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier offer $100-250 flights between host cities. Book 1-2 months ahead for positioning flights.

By Car: USA↔Canada border crossings are straightforward with proper documents. USA↔Mexico requires more preparation (passport, vehicle permits, insurance).

By Bus/Train: Greyhound and Megabus connect many host cities affordably but take longer.

Important: Ensure you have valid entry documents (ESTA, eTA, visas) for all three countries before starting your trip. Our Transportation Guide has detailed border crossing tips.

Hotels:
• Book 4-6 months ahead for best prices and availability
• Use free cancellation policies
• Consider suburbs and hub cities for better rates
• Group bookings (Airbnb) save 30-40% for 3+ people

Flights:
• International flights: Book 3-4 months out
• Domestic positioning flights: Book 1-2 months ahead
• Set price alerts on Google Flights and Hopper

Pro Tip: Prices fluctuate—we've seen $200 swings in a week. Our Budget Guide has a month-by-month booking timeline.

Group Stage (June 11-27, 48 matches):
• All 48 teams compete
• Lowest ticket prices ($50-$400)
• Festival atmosphere, multiple daily matches
• Some matches may be uncompetitive
• Best for budget travelers

Knockout Rounds (June 28-July 19, 56 matches):
• Every match is elimination (win or go home)
• Higher ticket prices ($300-$2,500 for Final)
• Intense atmosphere, higher stakes
• Round of 32 offers best value in knockout stage
• Best for serious fans

See our Planning Strategy section for detailed comparison.

Budget Trip (7 days, 2-3 matches): $2,000-$3,500
• Hub city hotels: $1,260-$1,540
• Group stage tickets: $100-$400
• Flights: $300-$800
• Food & transport: $400-$760

Mid-Range Trip (10 days, 4-5 matches): $4,000-$6,000
• Mixed city hotels: $2,000-$3,000
• Round of 16 tickets: $400-$1,600
• Flights: $500-$1,000
• Food & activities: $1,100-$1,400

Premium Trip (14 days, Semifinals/Final): $7,000-$12,000+
• NYC/LA hotels: $5,600-$8,400
• Premium tickets: $1,500-$5,000
• Flights: $800-$1,500

Use our Budget Calculator to plan your exact costs.