FIFA World Cup Guide 2026 North America

What you will learn – overview

This guide will help you prepare for the FIFA World Cup 2026 taking place in North America. You will learn how to plan a trip, which city to choose, what costs to anticipate and how to get around the host cities. Get ready for unforgettable football emotions!

• You will understand the specifics of each host city in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
• You will learn how to estimate the costs of accommodation, food and transportation.
• You will discover the best ways to get around metropolises.
• You will learn about local attractions and culinary specialties worth trying.
• You will learn how to plan your trip effectively in terms of time and budget.

Planning your trip for FIFA World Cup 2026 : step by step

Step 1: Select host cities and check the match schedule

Before you start booking tickets, you need to decide which matches you want to see and where. The 2026 World Cup will take place in sixteen cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico. This offers many possibilities, but requires well-thought-out logistics. Remember that the match schedule may change, so be flexible in your plans.

USA:

• Atlanta, Georgia: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000 seats). Matches: June 15, 18, 21, 24, 27; July 1, 7, 15. Unique retractable roof.
• Boston, Massachusetts: Gillette Stadium (64,600 seats) in Foxborough. Matches: June 13, 16, 19, 23, 26, 29; July 9. Known for its rich history and Harvard.
• Dallas, TX: AT&T Stadium (80,000+ seats) in Arlington. Matches: June 14, 17, 22, 25, 27, 30; July 3, 6, 14. Most games, including the semifinal on July 14.
• Houston, Texas: NRG Stadium (72,200 seats). Matches: June 14, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29; July 4th. Retractable roof, air conditioning.
• Kansas City, Missouri: Kansas City Stadium (76,400 seats). Matches: June 16, 20, 25, 27; July 3, 11. Known for its passion for football.
• Los Angeles, California: SoFi Stadium (70,000 seats) in Inglewood. Matches: June 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, 28; July 2, 10. First USA match.
• Miami, Florida: Hard Rock Stadium (67,000 seats) in Miami Gardens. Matches: June 15, 21, 24, 27; July 3, 11, 18. Match for third place on July 18. Messi raised the football fever.
• New York/New Jersey: MetLife Stadium (82,500 seats) in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Matches: June 13, 16, 22, 25, 27, 30; 5, July 19. World Cup final on July 19.
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lincoln Financial Field (67,600 seats). Matches: June 14, 19, 22, 25, 27; July 4th. Round of 16 match on July 4 (US Independence Day).
• San Francisco Peninsula, California: Levi's Stadium (68,500 seats) in Santa Clara. Matches: June 13, 16, 19, 22, 25; July 1.
• Seattle, Washington: Lumen Field (69,000 seats). Matches: June 15, 19, 24, 26; July 1, 6. At least one USA match.

See also World Cup 2026 - History and Hosts

Canada:

• Toronto, Ontario: BMO Field (45,700 seats after expansion). Matches: June 12, 17, 20, 23, 26; July 2. Canada's first game on June 12.
• Vancouver, British Columbia: BC Place (54,000 seats). Matches: June 13, 18, 21, 24, 26; July 2, 7. Matches involving Canada.

Mexico:

• Guadalajara, Jalisco: Estadio Akron (48,000 seats) in Zapopan. Matches: June 11, 18, 23, 26. Several Mexican matches.
• Mexico, Mexico: Estadio Azteca (87,500 seats). Matches: June 14, 17, 20, 24, 27, 30; July 5, 12. A legendary stadium that has already hosted the World Cup twice.
• Monterrey, Nuevo León: Estadio BBVA (53,500 seats) in Guadalupe. Matches: June 14, 20, 24, 29.

Tip: Focus on one region, such as the US East Coast or Mexico, if you have limited time. Traveling between distant cities in the US, Canada and Mexico is time-consuming and expensive.

Step 2: Determine your budget and find accommodation

Costs will increase significantly during the World Cup. Be prepared that the prices listed below may only be a starting point.

Example daily costs (remember these are estimates and may increase!):

• Budget (less than USD 100-150/day):
  • Hostel bed: USD 30-80 (US), CAD 30-50 (Canada), MXN (Mexico)
  • Fast food/local street food: USD 5-15/CAD, MXN 15-40
  • Free museums/attractions, walking tours.
  • Public transport: USD 2.40-5/CAD, MXN 9.50-15 for a single ticket.
• Mid-range (100-300) USD/day):
  • Double room in mid-range hotel/B&B: USD 150-250/CAD, MXN
  • Restaurant meal: USD/CAD 20-40, MXN 300-600
  • Museum/attraction entry fees: USD/CAD 15-30.
  • Short taxi ride: 10-20 USD/CAD.
• High-end (over 300 USD/day):
  • Room in a 4-star hotel: from 250 USD/CAD, from 2026 MXN.
  • Lunch in an exclusive restaurant: from 60 USD/CAD.
  • Events, concerts: from 50 USD/CAD.

Accommodation: Book well in advance! The closer to the World Cup, the more expensive and fewer options available. Check hotels, hostels, Airbnb. Compare prices in different districts.

What are “Match Days”? On match days, hotels will be more expensive and full. If you don't have a ticket for a specific match, you may want to consider staying outside the main center and traveling to the fan zone on match day.

Step 3: Arrange local transport

Each city has its own specific transport solutions. Some are better connected than others.

Boston, USA:

• Metro (T): Fast, runs from 5:30/6:00 to 1:30.
• Blue Bikes: Bike sharing, 1,800 bikes at 200 stations.
• MBTA Bus: Supplement to the subway.
• Shuttle train to Gillette Stadium: From Foxborough Station (MBTA).

See also The best ticket and package options for the FIFA Cup 2026

Mexico, Mexico:

• Metro: Extensive, but can be crowded.
• Buses: Know route numbers and directions.
• E-bikes/city bikes.
• Colectivos: Low cost minibuses.
• Zapp: Motorbike rental app.

Toronto, Canada:

• Metro: Fastest, operates from 6:00 (8:00 on Sunday) to 1:30.
• Trams (Streetcar): Extensive network, but slow during rush hours, operating 24 hours.
• Ferries/water taxis: On Toronto Islands.
• Bike: Great for exploring the Waterfront and Islands.

San Francisco Peninsula, USA:

• Caltrain: Connects San Bruno to Palo Alto, runs the entire length of the Peninsula.
• BART: Serves the northern half of the Peninsula, fast connections to San Francisco and SFO Airport.
• VTA: Necessary to get there from Caltrain to Levi's Stadium.
• Car: Necessary to explore Highway 1 and the redwood forests.

Guadalajara, Mexico:

• Buses: Multi-level system, every 5 min, from 6:00 to 22:00, cost 9.50 MXN.
• MiBici: City bike system (now over 71,600 users!).
• Metro Siteur: Three lines, but mainly for locals, not too touristy.
• Taxis/apps: Widespread and reasonable prices.

Atlanta, USA:

• MARTA (subway and buses): Very well developed.
• Downtown Light Rail: Circulating, useful for downtown.
• Atlanta BeltLine: A system of multi-use paths, ideal for walking and biking.

New York/New Jersey, USA:

• Metro (Subway): Operates 24 hours a day, but can be crowded. Ticket $3 (MetroCard or OMNY).
• Buses: Good for East-West travel.
• Taxis: From $2.50, plus $0.50 overnight and $2.50 congestion charge.
• Citi Bike: City bike ($12 per 24 hours).
• Ferries: Intercity.
• NJ Transit: To MetLife Stadium for games.

Dallas, USA:

• DART (buses and extensive light rail network): Connects downtown with the suburbs. Daily fare max $5.
• Trinity Railway Express: Train to Fort Worth (1 hour).
• Dallas Streetcar: Between Union Station and Bishop Arts District.
• M-Line Trolley: Historic streetcar, free, from St Paul DART to City Place/Uptown.

Vancouver, Canada:

• Buses: Expanded network.
• SkyTrain: Fast, but limited to a few routes.
• SeaBus: Ferry connecting downtown Vancouver with North Vancouver.

Houston, USA:

• Metro (Metrorail): Three lines, including the important Red Line (Reliant Park, Rice University, Museum District, Downtown).
• Greenlink: Free shuttles in Downtown every 7-10 min.
• Houston B-Cycle: City bikes.

Monterrey, Mexico:

• Metro (Metrorrey): Three lines, mainly downtown.
• Buses: Frequent connections to areas outside the metro (have change!).
• Taxis/Apps: Ubiquitous and cheap. Expect traffic jams.

Kansas City, USA:

• KC Streetcar: Free, runs mainly along Main St, every 10-15 min, connects popular places like the Plaza, Art Museum, Union Station.
• Buses: Major expansion planned for Mundial, details in 2026 .

See also Mundial 2026 : Everything You Need to Know

Los Angeles, USA:

• Metro Rail: Two subway lines, four light rail lines, two express bus lines. Six lines converge at Downtown.
• Buses: Approx. 200 lines in the city. TAP card for trains and buses.
• Ride-share (Uber/Lyft): Probably the best option due to the size of the city.

Miami, USA:

• Car rental: Convenient, but expensive parking.
• Taxis/apps (Lyft/Uber): Best for long distances.
• Buses: Extensive system, but expensive free.
• Trolleybus: Free service with various routes (Miami Beach, Downtown, Wynwood, Little Havana).
• Citi Bike: City bike, ideal for short trips.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Not booking accommodation in advance - prices increase and availability decreases.
• Traveling between too many cities - it's time-consuming and expensive.
• Underestimating your budget - costs may be higher than you expect.
• No local transport plan - some cities have complicated systems.
• Ignorance of local customs and language - communication problems may occur.
• Not preparing for changing weather conditions - may affect your plans. travel.
• Forgetting about travel insurance - important in case of emergencies.

Expert advice

1. Get around cities with a city bike to avoid traffic jams.
2. Use mobile apps to plan public transport.
3. Book accommodation with free cancellation.
4. Check out local festivals and events that may be taking place during your stay.
5. Buy tickets for matches and attractions in advance to avoid disappointment.
6. Take advantage of discount tourist offers available at some hotels. cities.
7. Make visiting local restaurants part of your travel plan.