FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA: Ultimate Guide to Hosts, Schedule & US Matches/Tickets
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be a historic event held across North America, with the United States playing a prominent role as one of the three host nations alongside Canada and Mexico. This will be the 23rd edition of the World Cup and the first to feature an expanded format with 48 teams, up from the traditional 32. The tournament is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and the U.S. will host the final match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The U.S. hosting cities for the tournament include major metropolitan areas known for their large stadiums and soccer fanbases. There are 11 host cities in the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. The opening match for the U.S. will take place on June 12, 2026, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Los Angeles, where the U.S. men’s national team will face Paraguay. The tournament venues range from the massive AT&T Stadium in Dallas with a capacity of around 94,000 to smaller yet iconic stadiums like the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Lumen Field in Seattle.
The tournament’s group stage includes the U.S. placed in Group D, playing against Paraguay, Australia, and a UEFA playoff winner. The U.S. is set to play its group matches at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Lumen Field in Seattle. Throughout the competition, the U.S. will host a total of 78 matches spanning multiple venues, with the final being the highlight of this global soccer spectacle.
This World Cup marks significant milestones: it is the first to be jointly hosted by three nations and the first to feature an expanded team format. It also signals a return to the traditional summer schedule after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The event is expected to draw massive crowds and global attention, highlighting soccer’s growing popularity in the United States and North America as a whole.
Key details about U.S. hosting cities and stadiums:
Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium, capacity ~70,000
Dallas: AT&T Stadium, capacity ~94,000
New York/New Jersey: MetLife Stadium (final venue), capacity ~82,500
Atlanta: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, capacity ~75,000
Seattle: Lumen Field, capacity ~69,000
Boston: Gillette Stadium, capacity ~65,000
Miami: Hard Rock Stadium, capacity ~65,000
Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Bay Area also feature major venues for matches
The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a landmark event poised to showcase the best of men’s international soccer across a broad swath of iconic North American cities, with the United States playing a starring role in hosting and competition.
In this Post we are going to cover:
Key storylines and players to highlight for the USA matches
How to include logistics and travel advice for fans attending
Where to buy official World Cup 2026 match tickets safely
How to budget for a multi-city World Cup trip
How to find affordable match tickets for group stage games
How to enter the FIFA Random Selection Draw for tickets
Key storylines and players to highlight for the USA matches
USMNT Group D Overview
The USMNT faces Paraguay, Australia, and the UEFA Playoff C winner (likely Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, or Kosovo) in Group D, a favorable draw allowing home-soil advantage at SoFi Stadium and Lumen Field. Matches kick off June 12 vs. Paraguay in Los Angeles, June 19 vs. Australia in Seattle, and June 25 vs. the European qualifier back in LA. This setup positions the USA for advancement, with Paraguay’s stingy defense (just 10 goals conceded in qualifying) as the biggest test.
Key Storylines
Home Nation Pressure in Opener: The June 12 clash against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium carries massive hype as the host’s first game, where USA captain Tim Ream leads amid expectations of a strong start against a resilient South American side coached by Gustavo Alfaro.
Golden Generation Push: Under Mauricio Pochettino, this squad represents the USMNT’s prime talent peak, aiming to surpass the 2022 Round of 16 exit on familiar turf.
European Wildcard: The playoff winner adds intrigue—Turkey’s attack or Slovakia’s grit could challenge, but none rank as top threats, keeping USA as group favorites.
Spotlight Players for USA Matches
Christian Pulisic headlines as the USA’s all-time star at 27, expected to dominate wings against Paraguay’s backline and Australia’s midfield. Antonee Robinson’s overlapping runs from left-back could unlock defenses, fresh off a 10-assist Premier League season. Emerging goalkeeper Matt Freese, who starred in the Gold Cup final, anchors the backline, while midfielders Weston McKennie and Diego Luna provide energy against Australia’s Nestory Irankunda or Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón.
How to include logistics and travel advice for fans attending
Securing Tickets and Packages
Fans should prioritize official FIFA channels for tickets, with single-match sales opening post-draw and hospitality packages bundling flights, hotels, and transfers already available from partners like Qatar Airways. Book early as demand surges for USMNT games in Los Angeles and Seattle, with prices starting at $150 per match; use FIFA.com for randomization draws to ensure fairness.
Regional Travel Planning
FIFA groups US host cities into three regions to minimize fan travel: Western (Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area), Central (Dallas, Houston, Kansas City), and Eastern (Atlanta, Boston, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia). Base in hubs like Dallas for Central access or Boston for Eastern Amtrak routes covering multiple venues efficiently.
Western: Fly into LAX or SEA; use Pacific Coast Highway road trips or Amtrak Coast Starlight for scenic drives between LA and Seattle.
Central: Dallas as media epicenter with DFW airport; Vonlane luxury buses link to Houston, or short flights to Kansas City.
Eastern: Amtrak Acela connects Boston-Philadelphia-NY/NJ; Atlanta’s airport ideal for international arrivals and road trips.
Flights and Ground Transport
Book flights now via Skyscanner for deals from $49, targeting major airports like LAX (US opener), DFW (9 matches), and EWR (final); expect peaks for popular teams like Brazil or England boosting demand in Dallas and Miami. Within cities, leverage stadium shuttles, rideshares, or new infrastructure like LA’s Automated People Mover; rent cars for regional hops but check FIFA fan zones for pedestrian-friendly access.
Accommodations and Fan Zones
Opt for stadium-proximate stays: Sonesta near SoFi (LA), Pioneer Square hotels in Seattle (Lumen Field), or South End in Boston (Gillette Stadium); trendy spots like Yaletown Vancouver or Coyoacán Mexico City offer walkability. Visit official Fan Festivals—at Hastings Park (Vancouver), The Bentway (Toronto), or Waterfront Park (Seattle)—for match screenings, even without tickets.
Practical Tips
Carry passports for cross-border travel to Canada/Mexico; monitor visa requirements and book 6-12 months ahead amid summer heat (domed stadiums help). Budget for high-demand surges in short-term rentals, and follow local advisories for crowds.
Where to buy official World Cup 2026 match tickets safely
Official Ticket Sources
FIFA exclusively handles all individual match tickets through FIFA.com/tickets, with sales phases including a randomized draw system opening late 2025 for group stage games like the USMNT opener in Los Angeles. Hospitality packages, which guarantee seats and often include travel perks, are available now via FIFA’s partners such as On Location and Qatar Airways Privilege Club.
Authorized Hospitality Providers
On Location: FIFA’s official hospitality partner offers premium packages with premium seating, food, and lounge access starting at $3,500 per person for multiple matches; book directly at onlocationexp.com.
Qatar Airways: Bundles tickets with flights and hotels for select US venues like SoFi Stadium; available at qatarairways.com/en/sponsorship/fifa-world-cup-26.html.
Match Hospitality: Secondary official reseller for VIP experiences across Dallas, New York, and other cities.
Avoiding Scams and Resellers
Steer clear of secondary sites like StubHub or Viagogo, as FIFA prohibits resale and voids unauthorized tickets; only purchase from FIFA-verified links to avoid fakes amid high demand for the 104-match tournament. Check FIFA’s anti-scalping measures and use credit cards for purchase protection.
How to budget for a multi-city World Cup trip
Sample Multi-City Budget Breakdown
A 2-week trip covering three US host cities like Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas for USMNT group matches totals $4,000–$8,000 per person, excluding international flights. Group stage tickets start at $50–$500 via FIFA draws, hospitality packages hit $9,500+ for four games at SoFi Stadium, while 3-night custom getaways from $2,165 include hotels and basics.
| Category | Low-End Estimate (USD) | High-End Estimate (USD) | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flights (Domestic, 3 cities) | 300 | 800 | Book Southwest or United bundles early; use points for LA-SEA-Dallas legs. |
| Tickets (3 group matches) | 150 | 1,500 | FIFA.com for singles ($50+); avoid resellers. |
| Accommodation (14 nights) | 1,000 | 2,500 | Host city hotels $100–$300/night; official discounts via FIFA partners or Airbnbs in clusters. |
| Food & Local Transport | 500 | 1,000 | Fan zones free; Ubers $20–60/stadium run, meals $10–$50/day. |
| Total | $4,000 | $8,000 | Add 20% buffer for surges. |
Cost-Saving Strategies
Cluster travel in FIFA’s regions: West (LA-Seattle-SF via Amtrak, saving $200 on flights) or East (NY-NJ-Philly-Boston by Acela train). Opt for RV rentals ($100/day) between Central cities like Dallas-Houston to dodge peak hotels, or group packages from Roadtrips starting $4,500 for 7 nights with tours.
Book flights 6–12 months ahead for $49 deals into LAX/DFW; target off-peak midweek arrivals and use credit card rewards. Secure visas early ($185 US fee) and monitor dynamic pricing—hospitality jumps to $22,400 for eight SoFi games.
Long-Trip Scaling
For full tournament (month+ across 5+ cities), budget $10,000–$15,000: flights $2,500–$4,000, hotels $4,500, tickets $2,000–$4,000. Indian fans estimate ₹4–6 lakh (~$5,000–$7,000) for 2 weeks including visas; prioritize group stage over knockouts.
How to find affordable match tickets for group stage games
Current Ticket Sales Phases
The third phase—Random Selection Draw for specific matches—opened December 11, 2025, via FIFA.com/tickets, with entry until January 13, 2026; apply for group stage tickets (now with known matchups like USA vs. Paraguay) and get notified in February for purchase at face value. Category 4 (cheapest upper-deck) starts at $60–$75 for non-host group games, up to $140–$215 for Category 2; USMNT matches like SoFi Stadium opener hit $75 minimum.
Strategies for Affordable Group Stage Tickets
Target less popular group matches (e.g., non-US games in Houston or Kansas City at $60 Cat 4) over high-demand USMNT fixtures; enter every draw phase early with a FIFA account for better odds. Opt for Category 4 seats behind goals, bundle via official hospitality for 3+ games (from $1,450), or wait for First-Come First-Served post-draws releasing limited inventory live.
| Match Type | Cheapest Price (Cat 4, USD) | Best Venues for Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Host Group | $60 | Atlanta, Kansas City |
| Host Nation Group (e.g., USA) | $75 | Seattle, Philadelphia |
| Later Group Games | $60–$105 | Houston, San Francisco |
Official vs. Resale Warnings
Stick to FIFA.com for lotteries guaranteeing lowest prices; resale opens later at face value only through FIFA’s platform—avoid StubHub where group tickets already exceed $200 despite voids for unauthorized sales. Successful applicants auto-charge upon winning, so budget $200–$500 per game upfront.
How to enter the FIFA Random Selection Draw for tickets
FIFA Random Selection Draw Overview
The Random Selection Draw, FIFA’s third sales phase for World Cup 2026 tickets, opened December 11, 2025, and runs until January 13, 2026, allocating specific group stage matches like USA vs. Paraguay at face value via lottery to combat demand. Successful entrants get 5 days to purchase assigned tickets (e.g., $60–$215 for group games); enter multiple matches for better odds, with notifications in February 2026.
Step-by-Step Entry Process
Create or log into a FIFA account at FIFA.com/tickets using email verification.
Select “Random Selection” phase and search matches by date, team (e.g., USMNT Group D), city (SoFi Stadium), or category (Cat 4 cheapest at $60).
Choose up to 10 tickets per match, up to 60 total across applications; review cart and submit before deadline—no payment yet.
Await random draw results via email; if selected, pay within window using credit card.
Key Rules and Tips
Limit one entry per person per match; nearly 2 million tickets sold prior, so prioritize low-demand games like non-US group stage in Atlanta. Use desktop for best interface; draw is fair and global, with no resale allowed pre-event.