Complete 2026 World Cup Fan Guide
Everything you need: tickets, travel, visas, and survival tips from real fans
Group Draw in:
Hot Tips - Most Urgent Right Now
How do I maximise my chances in the Phase 3 ticket lottery?
Apply for 8–12 matches across multiple households. Prioritise Category 4 in Kansas City, Vancouver, Guadalajara, Philadelphia, or Monterrey – these venues have the lowest demand. Use separate FIFA accounts for each adult (max 4 tickets per match, 40 total per household). Apply the second the window opens.
Source: FIFA Official Ticketing
When should I book refundable hotels?
Book fully refundable rooms now (Booking.com "free cancellation" filter) for every city you might end up in. Cancel the ones you don't need within 24–48 hours after the December 5 draw. Prices rise 150–300% once groups are known.
Book Refundable HotelsFIFA PASS – what actually happens next?
Only buyers of U.S. match tickets qualify. You will receive a unique code by email in January/February 2026. Redeem the code on the new FIFA PASS portal → book a priority U.S. visa interview slot (B-1/B-2). Interviews start March 2026.
Quick Facts
- 48 Teams (up from 32)
- 16 Venues across USA, Canada, Mexico
- 104 Matches (June 11 – July 19, 2026)
- Group Draw: December 5, 2025
Tickets & Lottery
Official resale – when to buy and when to wait?
Resale is live now. Buy immediately if you only need one specific match (prices only go up). Wait until April–May 2026 for knockouts – thousands of unsold contingent tickets flood the market when teams get eliminated.
Source: FIFA Official Ticketing
Travel Planning
Booking Flights
Smart strategies for securing the best deals
When to Book
Book 3-6 months before matches (January-March 2026 for June games). Prices spike 2 months out. Use fare alerts on Google Flights, Skyscanner, and Hopper.
Multi-City Routing
Consider flying into gateway hubs (Mexico City, Toronto, NYC) then using regional flights or buses. Round-trip Mexico City → Dallas costs ~$150 USD vs. $800+ direct from Europe to Dallas.
Finding Hotels Near Stadiums
Accommodation strategies for every budget
Book Early or Last-Minute
Hotels near stadiums fill 6+ months ahead. Book by December 2025 for prime locations. Alternative: Wait until 2-4 weeks before for cancellation deals.
Base City Strategy
Pick one "base city" (cheaper hub like Philadelphia, Kansas City, or Monterrey) and day-trip to matches. Airbnb entire apartments cost $80-150/night vs. $300+ for stadium-area hotels.
Local Transport
Public Transit
Most stadiums have metro/rail access. MetLife Stadium (NJ): NJ Transit from NYC Penn Station ($15 round-trip). AT&T Stadium (Dallas): TRE train + bus ($5).
Rideshare Tips
Uber/Lyft surge 3-5x on match days. Pre-book rides or walk 0.5-1 mile from stadiums to avoid surge zones.
Visas & Borders
Border crossing hacks (USA ↔ Canada ↔ Mexico)
Fly into Mexico City with U.S. visa → 180 days automatic entry → cheap domestic flights to U.S. games. Canada land border from Seattle to Vancouver takes 30–90 min with Nexus/Global Entry. No special World Cup lanes, but eTA is instant online ($7 CAD).
At The Match
How bad will the heat actually be?
Expect 32–38°C + 70% humidity in southern U.S. and Mexico venues. FIFA policy: automatic cooling breaks at WBGT >32°C (both halves), free water stations every 50m, misting zones, cooling buses outside stadiums.
Packing list – what people forget
- Portable phone charger (20,000 mAh+) – outlets are scarce
- Clear plastic one-gallon ziplock bag (U.S. stadium bag policy)
- Lightweight rain poncho (sudden storms common)
- Neck fan or cooling towel (under $15, life-changer)
- Printed ticket backup + passport photos (in case phone dies)
Recommended Gear
Swipe to see more recommendations
Fan Festival vs stadium – which is better value?
Fan Festivals are 100% free, open 39 days straight, show every match on giant screens, have concerts nightly, and sell full-strength beer. Many fans now plan zero stadium games + full Fan Festival schedule and save $1,500+.
Budget Hacks
What are the cheapest base cities for World Cup 2026?
Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey win by 40–60%.
Average 3-night package during group stage (flight from Europe + hotel + local transport):
- Mexico City → $680–$950
- Toronto/Montreal → $1,200–$1,600
- Dallas/Atlanta → $1,400–$1,900
- New York/Miami → $2,200–$3,500
Key Dates Timeline
- Dec 5, 2025 → Group draw
- Mid-Dec 2025 → Phase 3 lottery opens
- Jan–Feb 2026 → FIFA PASS codes sent
- March 2026 → Final playoffs + last visa rush
- April–May 2026 → Biggest resale drop of tickets
- June 11, 2026 → Tournament starts!
200 Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: November 23, 2025 | 5 of 5 questions shown
We may earn from qualifying purchases