FIFA World Cup
Experience the Thrill of World Soccer
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Experience the Thrill of World Soccer
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest in history. For the first time, 48 nations will compete across three host countries -- the United States, Canada, and Mexico -- in a format that expands the group stage and adds an extra knockout round. With 80 matches spread across 16 venues in 16 cities, the scale of this tournament dwarfs every previous edition. Whether you want to catch a group stage match in a smaller Canadian city or be present for the final at MetLife Stadium, the options for fans are wider than they have ever been.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is expected to host the World Cup Final along with several marquee group stage matches. The stadium holds over 82,000 spectators and sits just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, opened in 2020 and is one of the most technologically advanced stadiums on the planet, with a massive 70,000-yard video board suspended above the field. It will host semifinal matches and key group stage games. Estadio Azteca in Mexico City carries enormous historical weight -- it hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup Finals and remains one of the most iconic soccer venues anywhere. The altitude (7,350 feet above sea level) affects gameplay and gives Mexican fans a legendary home-field advantage.
In Canada, BMO Field in Toronto (capacity approximately 30,000, expandable for the tournament) and BC Place in Vancouver (54,000 capacity with a retractable roof) will host group stage and early knockout matches. BMO Field sits on the Toronto waterfront with views of Lake Ontario, while BC Place is nestled in downtown Vancouver surrounded by mountains. Both cities offer distinct cultural experiences that extend well beyond the stadium walls.
FIFA distributes World Cup tickets through a phased sales process. The first phase uses a random selection draw (lottery), where fans submit applications during a specific window and are randomly selected for the right to purchase. This is not first-come, first-served -- submitting your application on the first day gives you no advantage over submitting on the last day of the window. Prices in the FIFA official allocation typically range from $70 for group stage Category 3 seats to $600 or more for Category 1 seats at the Final. After the FIFA phases conclude, unsold inventory and resale tickets become available through authorized secondary platforms, where prices fluctuate based on demand, matchup appeal, and proximity to match day.
At massive stadiums like MetLife and SoFi, the midfield lower bowl delivers the premium experience. You can track the full width of the pitch, see formations develop, and feel the intensity of the crowd around you. These seats command the highest prices, often $400 to $1,200 for knockout-round matches. Behind-the-goal sections in the lower bowl are significantly cheaper -- sometimes half the price of midfield -- and put you remarkably close to the action when attacks come your way. The tradeoff is a compressed viewing angle that makes it harder to judge offside calls or see play developing on the far side.
Upper-deck seats at these modern stadiums are not the nosebleeds of older generations. SoFi's overhead videoboard ensures you never miss a replay, and MetLife's steep upper-bowl rake means even Row 20 of the 300 level has clear sightlines. At Estadio Azteca, the steep bowl design is even more pronounced, creating an amphitheater effect where sound reverberates intensely and upper-tier fans feel connected to the pitch. For atmosphere alone, the upper sections at Azteca may be the best value in the entire tournament.
MetLife Stadium has no direct subway connection, but NJ Transit trains run from Penn Station in Manhattan to the Meadowlands station adjacent to the stadium. On match days, expect dedicated express service with trains departing every few minutes. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Driving is possible but strongly discouraged for World Cup matches -- the parking lots hold 28,000 cars, but the post-game exit can take over an hour.
SoFi Stadium is accessible via the Metro C Line (formerly the Green Line), which stops at the Downtown Inglewood station about a 15-minute walk from the venue. LA Metro typically runs extended hours for major events. Given Los Angeles traffic, rail is by far the most reliable option. Rideshare drop-off zones are available but expect significant surge pricing and long wait times after the final whistle.
Estadio Azteca is reachable via Mexico City Metro Line 2 to the Tasquena area, then a short taxi or bus ride to the stadium. The Metro is extremely affordable (about 5 pesos per ride) and runs frequently, though it gets crowded on match days. Alternatively, the Estadio Azteca station on the Tren Ligero (light rail) connects directly. For fans staying in the Zona Rosa or Condesa neighborhoods, budget 45 minutes to an hour for the journey.
BMO Field in Toronto sits near Union Station, the city's central transit hub. The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) streetcar routes 509 and 514 run directly to Exhibition Place, where the stadium is located. The ride from Union Station takes under 10 minutes. BC Place in Vancouver is directly above Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station, making it one of the most transit-accessible venues in the tournament. No car needed.
One of the unique aspects of a tri-nation World Cup is the ability to follow your team across different cities and even different countries. If your national team is drawn into a group with matches in, say, Houston, Dallas, and Kansas City, you could road-trip between venues. Cross-border travel between the US and Canada is straightforward for most passport holders, though US-Mexico crossings may require additional documentation depending on your nationality. Book accommodations early -- World Cup host cities see hotel prices spike two to three times above normal rates, and popular neighborhoods near stadiums sell out months in advance. Consider staying in adjacent cities and commuting by train or short-haul flight to save on lodging.
Ticket resale becomes especially active between the group stage draw (when matchups are set) and the start of the tournament. Fans whose teams did not qualify often sell their lottery-allocated tickets, and this window can offer some of the best deals on the secondary market. Keep your searches broad -- a neutral group stage match between two smaller nations can deliver an incredible atmosphere at a fraction of the cost of a marquee semifinal.
FIFA opens application windows where fans request tickets for specific matches. Applications are entered into a random draw, and selected applicants receive the right to purchase at face value. You are not guaranteed tickets just by applying. Multiple phases occur, and unsold tickets from earlier phases roll into later sales rounds. The system is designed to give all fans an equal chance regardless of when they apply during the window.
Yes, and many fans plan exactly this kind of itinerary. The 2026 World Cup runs for about five weeks, with matches spread across 16 cities. Domestic flights between US host cities are plentiful, and train or bus connections work well for closer pairings like Dallas-Houston or Toronto-Montreal. Just be sure to account for travel time and book flexible accommodations.
It depends on your nationality and which host country you are visiting. Citizens of many countries can enter the US and Canada visa-free for short stays under existing visa waiver programs. Mexico offers visa-free entry to citizens of most Latin American and European nations. FIFA and the host countries have historically worked together to streamline entry requirements for ticket holders, but you should verify your specific visa situation well in advance.
The FanID is a spectator identification document that FIFA has used at recent World Cups. It serves as both an identity verification tool and, in some cases, grants visa-free entry to host countries for ticket holders. Details for the 2026 FanID program have not been fully announced, but expect a digital or physical credential linked to your ticket purchase that you will need to present alongside your ticket at stadium entry points.
As early as possible. Once the group stage draw reveals which teams play in which cities, hotel demand skyrockets in those locations. Booking six to twelve months before the tournament -- even before the draw, if you know which cities you want to visit -- gives you the widest selection and most reasonable rates. Many hotels offer free cancellation, so you can lock in a rate and adjust later if your plans change.