FIFA World Cup travel guide
Worldwide
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The FIFA World Cup is the biggest single-sport event in the world. 48 nations will compete at World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico) — the first expanded tournament — with 104 matches across 16 host cities.
This guide covers how to plan a World Cup trip: format, tickets, travel between host cities and what to expect on the ground.
Stadium information
- Capacity
- Varies by host — typically 40,000 to 90,000 seats per venue
- Opened
- Tournament founded 1930; held every four years
World Cup matchdays are among the most colourful, multinational sporting experiences anywhere — fan walks, fan zones and unforgettable knockout nights.
Nearby airports
Varies by host country (—)
World Cup 2026 spans North America: USA, Canada and Mexico.
Where to stay
Central districts of host cities
Easy transport to fan zones and stadiums; book 12-24 months ahead.
Tickets
FIFA opens its official ticket platform 9-15 months before kick-off, with several sale phases including a lottery and first-come/first-served windows.
Each competing nation gets an allocation for its own matches — apply through your FA. Hospitality packages are also widely available.
World Cup 2026 format
48 teams play in 12 groups of four. The top two from each group, plus the eight best third-placed sides, progress to a 32-team round of 32. From there it is straight knockout to the final.
Matches are spread across 16 host cities in three countries: USA, Canada and Mexico. Travel between host cities is by domestic flight or long road trips — plan multi-match trips around airline hubs.
Planning a trip
Hotels and flights for big knockout cities (New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Toronto) sell out 6-12 months before the tournament. Book early.
Fan zones in host cities are free and a great place to watch the matches you can't get tickets for. Time zones for European visitors mean evening kick-offs are late-night viewing back home.
FAQs
When is the next World Cup?+
World Cup 2026 is co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities.
How many teams compete in World Cup 2026?+
48 — the first expanded tournament under FIFA's new format.
How do I get World Cup tickets?+
FIFA's official ticket platform opens 9-15 months before kick-off, with multiple sale phases.
Can I follow my team to every match?+
Yes if you book early; cross-country travel in North America is by domestic flight or rail.
Is it cheaper to buy tickets through hospitality?+
No, but hospitality guarantees seats, which the lottery does not. Budget accordingly.
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Plan your FIFA World Cup trip
Compare tickets, flights and hotels in one search.