World Cup 26 supporter FAQ

What is FIFA World Cup 26?

FIFA World Cup 26 is the largest edition of the tournament to date. It will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States across 16 host cities, with 48 teams and 104 matches scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

How do I buy tickets?

Standard tickets should be purchased through FIFA's official ticketing channels, typically via FIFA.com/tickets. Tickets are usually released in phases, so the safest approach is to create an official account, follow sales announcements and avoid unofficial resale platforms.

How do I buy hospitality packages?

Official hospitality products should be purchased through FIFA.com/hospitality or other authorised sales channels. For World Cup 26, official hospitality is handled through On Location, and packages typically combine premium seating with dedicated entry, food, drink or additional guest experiences.

What is the Fan Festival, where is it and is it free?

A Fan Festival or official fan zone is usually a large public viewing and event space set up by a host city, with big-screen match broadcasts, food, sponsor activity and city-wide celebration programming. Exact locations are announced by each host city. Many cities aim to make these areas publicly accessible, but entry rules, booking requirements and whether everything is fully free will depend on each city's final event plan.

How early should I arrive on matchday?

As a practical rule, supporters should plan to reach the stadium district at least two to three hours before kick-off. World Cup matchdays often involve layered security, ticket checks, transport controls, fan-zone queues and longer walking routes around the venue.

Where should I look for city events, transport updates and pre-match information?

The most useful combination is FIFA's official tournament pages, each host city's official site and the local city transport or tourism channels. FIFA handles event-level updates, while host city sites are often better for Fan Festival details, city activations, volunteer announcements and local transport guidance.

How does the 48-team format change the World Cup?

The 2026 edition is the first to use a 48-team field, up from the 32-team format used in every World Cup from 1998 to 2022. The group stage now features 12 groups of four teams, with the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing. That produces a new round of 32 before the traditional round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. The total match count rises to 104, compared with 64 in the previous format. The expanded bracket means more nations qualify, more matches take place simultaneously during the group stage, and more cities see competitive football across a longer schedule window.

When does the 2026 World Cup start and finish, and where is the final?

The tournament opens on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca, one of the most historically significant venues in World Cup history. The final is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — the largest stadium in the tournament's host network and the venue for the decisive match of the expanded 48-team edition. The group stage runs from June 11 through early July, with the knockout rounds beginning July 4 and compressing into a concentrated two-week closing window.

Which cities are hosting the 2026 World Cup?

Sixteen cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting matches. In the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. In Canada: Toronto and Vancouver. In Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. Each city hosts between four and eight matches depending on its role in the tournament bracket. Dallas and Los Angeles are among the highest-volume venues in the United States, while Mexico City hosts the tournament opener and Toronto anchors the Canadian section of the schedule.

Do I need a visa to attend World Cup 2026 matches?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and which host country you are travelling to. The United States, Canada and Mexico each have separate entry requirements, and supporters attending matches in more than one country will need to check requirements for each independently. FIFA typically works with host governments to establish simplified entry pathways for ticketed supporters, including dedicated fan travel documentation. The most reliable source for up-to-date visa guidance is your own government's travel advisory service combined with the official entry requirements published by each host nation's immigration authority.

How do I travel between host cities during the tournament?

The United States host cities are spread across the country, so air travel is the most practical option for moving between venues such as Seattle, Miami, Boston and Los Angeles within a short tournament window. Canada's two cities — Toronto and Vancouver — are on opposite coasts and also require flying. Mexico's three cities are more geographically compact, with domestic flights or long-distance bus services connecting Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. Supporters building a multi-city itinerary should plan around match kick-off times and factor in time-zone differences, which range from UTC-8 on the US West Coast to UTC-4 on the US East Coast and UTC-5 and UTC-6 across the Mexican venues.

What should I bring to a World Cup match?

The essentials are your match ticket (digital or printed, depending on the venue's requirements), a valid photo ID and any entry documentation required by the host country. Most stadiums operate a clear-bag policy for security, so check the specific venue rules before matchday. Sun protection matters for afternoon kick-offs in Dallas, Houston and the Mexican venues where summer temperatures can be high. Supporters attending evening matches in indoor stadiums such as Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium or Vancouver's BC Place should still bring a layer, as air conditioning in enclosed venues can make indoor stadiums noticeably cooler than the outdoor temperature. Checking the host city's official matchday guide in advance will give you the most accurate and venue-specific entry requirements.