At last we know. After hundreds of days on the road to next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, the destination is finally in sight for Australian fans, and millions of others around the world.
After yesterday’s draw, which put the 48 teams into 12 groups of four, Australia has learned who its three opponents are. Well, almost. We will play the US, Paraguay and a qualifier from Europe that is still to be determined.
Australia will play its opening round matches in Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco. The Socceroos are in President Trump’s “woke territories” but from a traveller’s perspective, they are Australian-friendly locations – on the West Coast, with moderate climate, closely grouped and in urban centres that are just the right size.
The dense fog that enveloped match-ups, venues and connections has lifted and the greatest show on earth has started to take shape. The sheer scale of the tournament, a month long and spread over multiple cities, dwarfs all other sporting and cultural events. The Tour de France may have more visitors. The Olympics may have loftier ideals. Formula One may squeeze more people into a single venue. But the four-yearly fiesta of football is in a global league of its own.
An estimated 5.5 million visitors are expected to attend next year’s finals which will be jointly hosted by Canada, the US and Mexico.
I will be one of the World Cup visitors. In fact, this will be my sixth World Cup attendance. In Russia in 2018, when Peru qualified for the first time in 36 years, tickets for their matches were so scarce a Peruvian fan put on 24 kilograms in three months so he could qualify for one of the special “obese seats” that were easier to get than regular seats.
We got to see Peru play the Socceroos, Australia’s national team, the Peruvian fans joyous (although Australia defeated the South American nation on penalties in a subsequent 2022 FIFA World Cup game). Yet, my enduring memory of the match is not of the Peruvians, but an Australian woman who walked around with a large football painted onto her very pregnant belly.
Four years earlier in Brazil, 160,000 Argentinians invaded the country, many of them driving for three days to Rio and sleeping on Copacabana Beach. When the final finished, tens of thousands wouldn’t go home. They decided to stay and start a new life rather than return to their depressed economy (well, Argentina did lose the final).
In Germany in 2006, an Englishman (and I swear this to be true) in a group next to ours at a fan fest in Frankfurt received a phone call from his wife back home, who rang to tell him their son had been arrested and was in jail. He asked her to leave him alone and hung up on her. I know; not pretty. But it was 20 years ago. These days English fans behave much better, and many more female fans will be making the journey thanks to the success of the Matildas and other women’s national teams.
The 2026 finals will be the biggest ever – and the most challenging. There is a 50 per cent increase in the number of teams participating compared to previous World Cups, which means many more matches, a longer calendar (38 days compared to 28 in 2022) and more logistical planning.
Then there is the matter of the now tense relations between the joint host countries. When FIFA chose a united North America bid in 2018, the three countries were friendly neighbours.
Today, they are just neighbours, and that’s only because Canada and Mexico can’t cut themselves adrift. Moving from one country to another may well present challenges. But with a bit of smart planning, there are many ways to enjoy the carnival as a visitor and here’s Traveller’s guide on how to do it.
WORLD CUP 2026: A CHEAT SHEET
- Dates June 11 to July 19, 2026
- Duration 38 days
- Number of matches 104
- Number of teams 48
- Groups 12
- Number of host nations Three
- Number of host cities 16
THE HOST CITIES
Of the 16 host cities, 11 are in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada. While most of the large tourist destinations are included (New York/New Jersey, Toronto, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston and Mexico City), there are several smaller cities across the continent where the queues will be shorter and the prices cheaper.
Boston, Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco in the US, and Guadalajara in Mexico, all have populations of less than 1 million or so, with downtown Vancouver, Canada being surprisingly intimate.
Philadelphia and Dallas are under 2 million. Visitors who spend a few days at these centres will have a little more flexibility to enjoy other attractions between the matches.
It’s worth remembering that although there will be four matches a day broadcast on TV during the first phase, there’s a limit to how long you can sit in a bar. It will be summer, the days will be warm and long, and perfect for day trips in the hinterland.
West Coast cities are blessed by beautiful coastline, the East Coast offers old-world history and country scenery, Mexico has tacos (not the Trump variety), tequila and a vibrant Latin culture.
While flying is notionally the quickest way of travelling from one city to another, and trains take you from city centre to centre, the right-sized group might find both an economy and pleasure in renting a car, or campervan, to get about.
THE EXPERIENCE
The overwhelming majority of people go to a World Cup for the shared thrill of seeing their team play, live and in the stadium, moving from city to city, along with thousands of their fellow supporters.
But given how hard it is to get tickets, and how expensive they will be, this may be an occasion to do it differently.
Every host city will have giant TV screens centred around the popular fan fest sites where you can soak up the atmosphere in a little more comfort and for far less cost (as many people have found with Melbourne’s Australian Open).
For Australian fans, the draw invites the option of basing yourself in Seattle or Vancouver, which are only a few hours apart, and making overnight visits to matches in neighbouring cities. This allows visitors to enjoy one or a couple of cities in greater depth, taking advantage of longer-term accommodation options.
I was invited to Vancouver, Canada, in June to inspect preparations for the hosting of the city’s seven matches, and the range of tourist attractions. Vancouver’s relatively intimate scale means its brilliant restaurants and bars are easy to access.
Another bonus is that the city’s stadium is right in the centre of town, like the MCG, which saves you from the usual hour-plus transit out to most large stadiums. Combine all this with a decent exchange rate and the visitor experience stacks up strongly.
Seattle, San Francisco and a swag of other small-sized cities also offer these benefits. But as the Peruvian fan demonstrated, the undeniable heart of the World Cup experience is seeing your team, and being able to say “I was there when …” So there’s a lot to weigh up.
THE FANS
Wherever you are, one thing is guaranteed, the passion of football fans is irresistible. Whether it’s the exuberance of the Brazilians, the angst of the Argentines, the robust humour of the English, the flamenco rhythms of the Spanish, or the polite pride of the Japanese, shared excitement is the glue of every World Cup.
Throw in the next-level intensity of host nation fans – you’ve got three of them this time – and it’s a recipe for lifetime memories. Given the political and cultural tensions around the world, however, there may be some awkward moments in store. The recent Ryder Cup golf event in New York, a biennial fixture in which a team from Europe plays a team from the US, sounded some ominous notes.
The crowd was more than fiercely partisan. It crossed the line of decency. A female comedian hired by the American hosts to MC the event joined a raucous New York crowd in chanting “F— you, Rory” to the Northern Irish golfing superstar Rory McIlroy while he was preparing to play a shot.
At one point during the matches, McIlroy’s wife was hit by a beer can. In return, McIlroy and his teammates swore back at the crowd. This in a sport that prides itself on gentility and good manners, a burden that football shrugged off a long time ago.
With the Socceroos drawn to play the US in Seattle, the stadium will likely become a cauldron of intimidation and the travelling Australian fans should be prepared to give as good as they get. The atmosphere will be fierce but hopefully not ugly.
THE CONTROVERSIES
Each World Cup brings its own unique cocktail of hazards and risks. South Africa was rife with urban violence, Brazil was beset by striking workers, Russia was authoritarian and corrupt, Qatar was not a football country, and it was far too hot.
Yet, every one of the four was a resounding success, safe and celebratory, with only minor mishaps. That said, 2026 will be different — in so many ways. For that, we can thank the president of the United States and COVID-19, which have profoundly reshaped the tenor of the event since FIFA announced the joint North American bid as the winner in 2018.
First came the pandemic, which sent the price of everything skyrocketing in its wake. Hotels, flights, restaurants and entertainment costs have gone through the roof. Nowhere is this more evident than in the US, where our dollar is relatively weak, which may make Canada and Mexico more attractive alternatives.
Then came Trump’s re-election. He was in office when the joint bid was submitted and threw his weight behind it, having been told about the power of football and the kudos it would bring him. But his policies and behaviour since taking office in January have unsettled American society, and fractured the country’s friendships with just about every one of its neighbours and allies.
Chief among these is Canada, which he threatened to annex, and Mexico, on which he imposed massive tariffs. In reality, these two neighbours feel more like enemies than friends of the US, certainly on the street and in the bars. The ramifications will be more substantial than a bad vibe.
Every time you travel from one to another means crossing a border, going through customs and being checked – your clothes, your luggage, and potentially your phone. When I asked my hosts in Vancouver whether there would be any relaxation of regular border checks during the mass movement of fans, the answer was no. That may change as we get closer, but as of now, it is a major consideration.
While this bad odour will push many fans to shake their heads at going to matches in the US, I suspect that when it comes time to choose, the sheer popularity of football will trump armchair declarations. If a country is drawn to play in the US, their fans will go to see the team play.
THE SECURITY
The good news is that your entry permits for the US (ESTA), Canada and Mexico, entitle you to multiple entries within a 90-day period. But visitors are going to need large reserves of patience.
Security protocols – whether you’re flying, crossing borders, or getting into stadiums – will be painstaking, especially in the US. The assassination of the American right-wing political activist, Charlie Kirk at a university campus, and Trump’s orders to send in the National Guard to quell alleged public disturbances in Portland and Chicago, have set the tone for a potentially heavy-handed security blanket.
In September, Trump even threatened to move some matches to “safe cities” if he felt the environments were a “little bit dangerous”, a move that was interpreted as targeting Democrat-run host cities such as Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles. FIFA responded by stressing that only it has the authority to decide where matches will be played.
Then there is the small matter of what you can take into stadiums. Under FIFA rules, backpacks aren’t allowed, and must be deposited in a security facility outside. Only small clear plastic bags 30 centimetres long are allowed to be taken in (I suggest stuffing them with sushi rolls). Water bottles must be empty.
THE LOGISTICS
How long should you go for?
The first phase, when every team plays three matches in a round-robin format, lasts 16 days. Add two days to settle in before it starts, and you’re looking at just under three weeks. If you have the budget and time to stay for the next stage, a knockout round spread across the three countries (Australia qualified for this in Qatar), add another week. This may not be as daunting to plan for as it sounds (see the strategies section).
Where do you fly to?
Given that Australia’s first match will be in Vancouver on June 13, this looms as the obvious entry point for Socceroos fans, with direct flights daily from Sydney on Qantas and Air Canada. However, this choice may be contingent on securing decent accommodation. Demand for hotels and serviced apartments has driven prices sky high over the past six months.
Some visitors, especially those not in Sydney, may opt for Los Angeles and catch a connecting flight once they know where to base themselves.
I’ve made my booking there, and also reserved a free-cancellation hotel room near the airport so I can get back quickly for any connecting flights. Although Australia is drawn to play in Vancouver, there is a benefit to booking a return flight to LA because it’s a more central exit point when you’re coming home.
Where do you base yourself?
Although teams are grouped in defined pools, their matches are not confined to a small constellation of cities, as in previous events, but rather in three sprawling geographic regions – Eastern (six cities, stretching from Toronto down to Miami), Central (six cities, from Mexico City to Kansas) and Western (four cities, from Vancouver to Los Angeles).
Fortunately for Australian fans, the Socceroos are drawn to play in two cities, Vancouver and Seattle, that are close enough to use a train, ferry or bus for overnight stays. For those travelling to the east coast, New Jersey to Philadelphia is a one-hour train ride, Boston is three hours north. These two groupings open up the possibility of using one as a base and making quick turnaround trips to the nearby cities.
Where do you stay?
In large American cities, there’s a central choice: stay close to the stadium, and save on the grind of getting there and back. Or, stay in the city, or lively neighbourhood, to enjoy the celebrations and atmosphere in bars, restaurants and fan fests.
The choice is not as clear-cut as it appears. The price of hotel rooms and apartments in the centre of US/Canadian cities is higher than the Empire State Building. Australian fans might consider renting a car to journey between Vancouver and Seattle, which would allow them to choose cheaper accommodation away from the city centre but park at urban transit hubs that take them to stadiums and entertainment precincts.
How do I buy tickets
Now that the main draw has been made, both FIFA and Football Australia will start opening up portals for millions of fans to buy tickets. There are basically three options: a series of tickets that follows your team through the opening, and optional for knockout phase matches (for which you get refunded if your team loses), a city-series ticket (e.g. every match in Boston), or tickets to individual matches.
Then there are knockout matches and fixtures between fancied teams that don’t involve yours. The chance to see Brazil or Argentina, and their fabulous fans, is an A-list delight. Whichever you get, the ticket prices will be eye-watering.
There are four categories, and this is the range for the round-robin matches: Category 4: $US60-$105; Category 3: $140-$215; Category 2: $310-$465; Category 1: $410-$620.
Note that these prices are in US dollars, so add about 50 per cent for the Australian dollar equivalents. The variation depends on which city is hosting the matches, with New Jersey, LA and San Francisco at the upper end.
Then there is obscene pricing of the host countries’ opening matches, which are up to four times the prices I’ve quoted above. For the US, tickets range from $US1,120 to $US2,735. Fortunately, while Australia will play the US, it’s not in the opening match. However, the price will still stretch the family wallet: $185 (Category 3), $405 (Category 2) and $535 (Category 1). For our opening match in Vancouver, the range is $140, $310 and $410, while the final match in San Francisco is the most expensive: $215, $465 and $620.
These numbers are before you factor in dynamic pricing – prices that escalate above face value depending on supply and demand for matches. Face value prices have already risen a little during the first phase of ticket sales, in anticipation of a deluge in demand in December.
While this may push prices for the US match up, it could also drive prices down for Australia’s first match against a European qualifier (fans will delay until they know who has qualified) and the third match against Paraguay, which is a small, poor country with a small pool of cashed-up fans.
But that is no way to price tickets to a global event. FIFA has received sustained criticism over the ticket prices, and deservedly so.
GAMES ON: TIPS + STRATEGIES
Choose a city you want to enjoy After the first phase of matches pick a place for its own sake, make one or two of them your base for extended stays. Book accommodation, with free cancellation, and book it now. If Australia qualifies to play elsewhere, make a trip to their match and come back. I’m going to spend a week during the knockout rounds in Mexico City. Even if I can’t get tickets to the matches being played there, the atmosphere will be lively, and the accommodation will be cheaper than in America.
Allow two nights to travel between cities for a match There are four matches played each day during the first phase – 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, or 9pm. But you won’t know until much closer to the date what time your match will be played. An early match means arriving the night before, a late match means leaving the morning after.
Keep an eye on the exchange rate If the Australian dollar spikes, or US dollars drops sharply due to world or domestic events, seize the moment to pay for any accommodation you were intending to pay when you arrived. Even a five per cent swing could result in a hefty saving, and make you feel like you’ve snared at least one bargain.
Take two phones You don’t want to be caught out trying to buy tickets at short notice to matches, accommodation or transit, only to find that you can’t complete the two-factor authentication (2FA) because you’re using an overseas SIM card. Although some phone banking apps have 2FA, it’s a good idea to take a second phone, with your local SIM, to use to receive the text message with the code.
The writer travelled to Canada as a guest of Destination Vancouver. See destinationvancouver.com
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