In this series, Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answer your travel woes and provide tips and tricks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. Here, American writer John Garry shares information on how to get tickets to the upcoming World Cup, which will take place in his home country.
Question: After watching the World Cup for the last four weeks, I really want to go to a tournament. How do I get tickets for the World Cup in 2026?
john garry: It’s easy to understand why anyone watching the World Cup in Qatar will catch a case of soccer fever: the non-stop, unscripted drama of playing serious soccer is more biting than anything you’ll find on Netflix. Lionel Messi’s coronation as king of this year’s World Cup was the stuff of legends. Morocco’s stunning success will be remembered for decades to come.
But if you want to get tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you will have to wait.
“Information on ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be available in due course,” the FIFA website says. “Please check this page regularly for further updates.”
To receive ticket application information, register here. According to the United 2026 World Cup offer book, tickets are likely to go on sale in 2025.
Still, there’s a lot to consider while you wait for the tickets to drop. Here’s what you need to know.
Where will the tournament take place?
The games will take place in 16 North American cities and, for the first time in World Cup history, will span three countries. Canada will host for the first time, the United States will host for the second time, and Mexico will become the first country to host the World Cup three times.
Of the tournament’s 80 games, 60 will start in 11 US cities: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle. The remaining 20 games will be split between Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey, Toronto and Vancouver. The destinations for the first and last games have not yet been decided.
After FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the city selections last June, he predicted that ‘soccer’ would soon become the number 1 sport in the US. realize what is going to happen here in 2026,” Infantino said at a press conference. “These three countries will be upside down. The world will be invading Canada, Mexico and the United States.”
When is the 2026 World Cup?
Unlike the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which scored millions of international viewers in November and December, the 2026 tournament will return to its regular summer schedule. The tournament will take place between June 8 and July 3.
Help me LP! Where can I travel with my teenage children that won’t bore them?
What can I do now to prepare to travel?
1. Research destinations. If there’s a particular team or game you want to see, let that information guide your travel plans once it’s released. If you’re less concerned with a specific match, explore possible locations. From continuous New York to verdant Vancouver, the sixteen host cities represent a diverse swath of urban life in North America. Traveling through an exciting metropolis can be just as rewarding as watching a world-class soccer game.
2. Get the proper travel documents. Unless you are attending the tournament in your home country, make sure you have an up-to-date passport, valid for six months after any intended travel. (Your passport must be valid until January 2027 to attend the World Cup final match in July 2026.)
Visitors from outside of host nations should also verify Canadian, Mexican and US visa requirements and obtain the necessary documentation.
3. Start budgeting and save money. Attending the World Cup is expensive, especially if you want to watch the opening or final match. Although information on tickets for 2026 is not available, the cheapest tickets for the Qatar final showdown are approximately $200 for locals and $600 for visitors. Add airfare, ground transportation, hotels, and food to the mix, and you’ve got yourself an expensive trip.
According to Booking.com, traveling from New York to Doha for the 2022 World Cup would have cost more than $4,000, without event tickets or spending money. If watching Argentina fight for another World Cup title is a must for you, reserve money now.
I can’t wait for the next World Cup. What can I do to scratch the itch?
It won’t be long before skilled players are competing in another lauded international tournament. This year, the FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. Like Lionel Messi in 2022, all eyes will be on American superstar Megan Rapinoe, who could be playing her last major tournament in the world. stage. The games are sure to bring a lot of thunder to the land below.