FIFA World Cup ’26

The FIFA World Cup is coming to North America in 2026! With 104 matches across 16 cities, fans can expect epic games, global energy, and unforgettable experiences. Plan ahead, grab tickets via FIFA, and help protect your trip with Generali Global Assistance.

The world’s largest sporting event is coming to the U.S. in 2026, and if that makes you say, “We already have the world’s biggest sporting event – the Super Bowl!” you may need to get out more.

We are talking about the World Cup, the world’s championship of the world’s most popular game, that’s coming to North America in 2026.

Fans from around the world will be tuning in to watch the matches—from their phones to public screenings. If you're planning to attend in person, here’s what to keep in mind before heading to the stadium.

soccer ball on field in front of stadium

When is the World Cup?

The World Cup will be held from June 11, 2026, through July 19, 2026. There will be 104 matches (or “fixtures”) held during that time.

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Where Will The Games Be Played?

The games – sorry, fixtures – will be played in 16 host cities:

Vancouver
Seattle
San Francisco/Bay Area
Los Angeles
Guadalajara
Mexico City
Monterrey
Houston
Dallas
Kansas City
Atlanta
Miami
Toronto
Boston
Philadelphia
New York/New Jersey

The major fixtures at the end will be played in the largest U.S. soccer markets: Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, and New York/New Jersey.

How Do Teams Qualify For The World Cup?

Regions of the world hold qualifying matches, where the top teams move on. The host nations automatically qualify.

The 48 teams that make the tournament are separated into groups, and each group plays a round‑robin to determine who advances to the next stage. The field is reduced from 48 teams to 32 and then to 16, where knockout rounds begin and continue through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the final.

What Details Are Known Regarding The Venues?

While most of the matches will be held in higher-capacity American football stadiums, some fixtures will be held in smaller-capacity, soccer-specific stadiums like Toronto’s BMO Field. Fixtures in these smaller stadiums will face additional ticket pressure.

In addition, host-nation matches played in their home country will be especially in demand—such as Mexico’s opener in Mexico City. If you simply want to attend a match and aren’t particular about which teams you see, getting tickets should be relatively easy.

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How Do I Get Tickets For The Fixtures?

Your best bet is to go to the FIFA website and register for the ticket drawings. FIFA plans to hold several phases of random‑selection ticket draws, and at this stage there are no options for purchasing a specific ticket for a specific match.

If you don’t want to go the official route, there are sure to be tickets available on the secondary market – over face for high-demand games, and below for lower-demand games.

What Will The Host Cities Be Like on Match Days?

Expect crowds similar to those seen during major American football events, but with a significantly higher number of international visitors. This will likely mean:

Increased pressure on public transit systems.
Surge pricing for rideshares.
Heavy traffic around stadiums and city centers.
Higher demand for lodging, including expanded short‑term rentals..
Greater demand for restaurants and other services.

Many host cities already have strong infrastructure for large events, but transportation systems across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are preparing for unusually high volumes of visitors. Cities such as Kansas City, Toronto, Atlanta, and the Mexican host cities are expected to experience especially heavy match‑day congestion.

Why This Is Bigger Than Just a Game You Should Care Because:

Soccer is an exciting spectator sport, even if it features fewer goals than other games.
International matches bring an intensity and atmosphere that’s hard to match.
World Cups only come along every four years.
The next North American World Cup may not be in your lifetime.
The celebrations and fan experiences are exceptional.

Tickets will be available—and even if the matchup isn’t between major contenders, the experience will still be incredible.

What’s a Great Strategy For Attending a Game?

Choose a venue in a city where there are friends you can stay with.
Take public transit to the match.
Get there early, wander around the general area, and soak in the vibe.
Choose a side to root for – based on your seat location, jersey colors, whatever – and bond with their fans.
Cheer loudly and enjoy the energy.
Make a thousand new friends.
Walk away happy – not necessarily because your team won, but because you got to experience something special.

Also Read: How to Use Travel Concierge Services—Even Before Your Trip

Should I Help Protect This Trip?

Absolutely. Tickets, airfares and lodging are all prepaid expenses that may be covered under the travel protection plans offered by Generali Global Assistance.

It doesn’t matter if you’re only traveling a couple hundred miles to the game – travel protection can help.

Best of all, getting a quote is as simple as clicking here.

Enjoy the matches!