FIFA World Cup 2026 Dates

When is the FIFA World Cup 2026? Key dates and Host Cities

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

The wait is almost over for all the soccer fans worldwide as the FIFA World Cup 2026 is just around the corner. For the first time ever, FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted in 3 countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada. Moreover, this year, the FIFA World Cup will have 48 teams for the very first time. So, if you are someone who is planning to catch a live match of your favourite team, then booking flights is very important. Read our blog to know everything about key dates and host cities, so that you can plan your trip efficiently. 

When is the Next World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup for 2026 will kick off on Thursday, 11th June, 2026 and conclude with the grand celebration on Sunday, 19th July, 2026. This means that there is a return to the traditional summer schedule for the tournament, which will be held in the Northern Hemisphere. The tournament is packed for 39 days with non-stop excitement, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches. The games will take place in 16 venues throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States. 

The opening match of the FIFA World Cup will take place in Mexico’s legendary Estadio Azteca, as it is the first stadium to host 2 FIFA World Cup finals. So, if you also don't want to miss watching your favourite players at this legendary stadium, then this is the right time to book flights to Mexico with Affluence Travels. Moreover, the World Cup final will be hosted in MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. 

When Is The Final Draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026?

So, the final draw of the FIFA World Cup will take place on 5th December 2025 at the John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. In this event, you will get to know about the group-stage matches for the World Cup. The teams that represent the host countries will be assigned to positions like A1 for Mexico, B1 for Canada and D1 for the USA. The draw will begin at 12:00 local time or 18:00 CET. 

FIFA World Cup 2026: Host Cities 

The whole tournament will be spread across 3 continents in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This will give fans chances to have unique experiences in each location. Here’s the complete list of host cities. 


United States: The majority of the 2025 FIFA World Cup will take place in different cities in the United States. So, if you want to catch matches in the United States, then we recommend that you book your flights to the United States as early as possible. 

Pro Tip: Try to look for airports and accommodations near cities, as the host city can be booked at higher prices. 



City

Stadiums

Atlanta

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Boston (Foxborough)

Gillette Stadium

Dallas (Arlington)

AT&T Stadium

Houston

NRG Stadium

Kansas City

GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium

Los Angeles (Inglewood)

SoFi Stadium

Miami (Miami Gardens)

Hard Rock Stadium

New York / New Jersey (East Rutherford)

MetLife Stadium (final venue)

Philadelphia

Lincoln Financial Field

San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara)

Levi’s Stadium

Seattle

Lumen Field


Mexico: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will happen in 3 cities of Mexico. The best part is the Mexico City stadium is 500 years old with mindblowing history and the opening match will also take place in Mexico City. 



City

Stadiums

Mexico City

Estadio Azteca (opening match June 11)

Guadalajara (Zapopan)

Estadio Akron

Monterrey (Guadalupe)

Estadio BBVA


Canada: If you are planning to catch live matches of FIFA World cup 2026 in Canada then there are 2 host cities. Vancouver is a great place for world cup travelers as the stadium is positioned between mountains and ocean creating a unique scenery. 



City

Stadiums

Toronto

BMO Field

Vancouver

BC Place



Many World Cup travellers plan multi-city trips, catching matches in different venues throughout the tournament. Airlines also offer competitive flight deals during the FIFA World Cup 2026. Instead, you can call Affluence Travels to get your multi-city flight tickets for the FIFA World Cup sorted so that you can cheer for your favourite team match stress-free. 


FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualified Teams

  • Host countries: United States, Mexico and Canada

  • AFC: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan

  • CAF: Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia

  • CONMEBOL: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay

  • OFC: New Zealand

  • UEFA: Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal


Plan Your FIFA World Cup 2026 Adventure Now

We know that attending the FIFA World Cup 2026 is a bucket-list experience for all soccer fans. With matches spread across 16 incredible venues across 3 countries, you will have the flexibility to customize your tournament experience. We recommend that you book your flights and accommodation well in advance, as prices can get high near tournaments. To make your experience unforgettable, you can call Affluence Travels now and book your flight tickets today for any of the host cities or multi-city packages. 

Got Questions? We've Got Answers

There are 16 different venues spread across 3 different countries in the FIFA World Cup 2026. These host countries are the United States, Mexico and Canada. 

The application process for the first draw of tickets is closed for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Additional ticket phases will begin in October 2025 and continue till 19th July 2026, Sunday. 

On 17th November 2025, President Donald Trump announced the “FIFA Pass” Visa for World Cup 2026. This FIFA PASS (Prioritized Appointments Scheduling System) will make sure that international fans coming to FIFA can enter the United States smoothly while maintaining immigration rules. 

You can buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets from the official FIFA ticketing portal by creating a FIFA ID and participating in the future sale phases. 

Absolutely! You can plan multi-city trips during the FIFA World Cup 2026. With venues in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, you can catch matches in different cities. Call Affluence Travels now and book your multi-city flight tickets. Just ensure you have the necessary travel documents and visas to cross international borders. 

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