Football (and soccer) fans are getting ready for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is shaping up to be the biggest, boldest, tournament in history. Here’s what you can expect for this year’s World Cup.
For the first time ever, there will be joint host countries sharing the excitement of each game. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are uniting to welcome global crowds to cheer for the world’s most watched sporting event.
Where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?
Spread across 16 host cities and three countries, the 2026 tournament will be the most geographically expansive World Cup yet.
The FIFA World cup 2026 opening ceremonies will take place at one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world — Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca — after which matches will spread across North America.
United States locations:
- Atlanta
- Boston
- Dallas
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Seattle
Canada locations:
- Toronto
- Vancouver
Mexico locations:
- Mexico City,
- Guadalajara
- Monterrey
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final match is set to be hosted at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
How many teams are playing?
This World Cup is upping the traditional lineup to feature a record-breaking 48 teams! This expanded format equates to even more matches (to the tune of 104 matches in total) and more opportunities for history in the making.
The new structure will include 12 groups of four teams. The top two and eight best third-place teams will advance to the final, knockout stage.
An especially heartwarming and exciting element of this is that it opens the door for new and emerging football nations. Fans will have the opportunity to see fresh talent from around the world.
Teams and players to watch
Keep an eye peeled for the usual powerhouses: Brazil, France, Argentina, England, and Germany. These teams will headline the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a mix of veteran fan-favourites and young new prospects.
Watch Kylian Mbappé of France dazzle fans with his speed and precision. Witness the next generation of football brilliance in Jude Bellingham of England and Pedrie (aka Pedro González López) of Spain.
Longtime football fanatics are crossing their fingers that Lionel Messi might make one final World Cup appearance, which would make 2026 a potentially emotional farewell.
Where to buy tickets and packages
Official tickets and hospitality packages will be available exclusively through the FIFA website and Ticketmaster.
Note: Take care to avoid third-party resale sites that aren’t verified by FIFA. Too many scams surface around major events and it would be a shame to fall victim while searching for tickets. FIFA’s official Hospitality packages will include premium seating, fine dining experiences, and behind-the-scenes access.
Travel tips for the FIFA World Cup 2026
Ensure your passport is up to date
Knowing the matches will span across three countries means that nailing your travel logistics will be crucial.
For fans hopping between Canada, the U.S.A., and Mexico, avoid any disappointing surprises by making sure your passport and other important travel documents are up to date!
Stay connected for the matches
You might also want to consider how you can avoid roaming fees and stay connected for the World Cup. It is not uncommon for a network to get overwhelmed with so many fans in a relatively small area.
You can avoid missing any big moments by snagging a North American eSIM plan from aloSIM. An eSIM will automatically switch between networks to give you the best possible connection for the games.
Download your eSIM before your flight to stay connected across borders with local data coverage. With an eSIM, you can easily navigate, access match updates, and stay online without hunting for Wi-Fi or risking a poor connection at the stadium.
Stay connected with a Canada eSIM, United States eSIM or a Mexico eSIM with aloSIM!
