2026 World Cup Holidays: When and Where to Watch England

After months of waiting, we finally know when and where the England Men’s football team will be playing their group stage games in next year’s FIFA World Cup. On 5th December 2025, the draw was held in Washington D.C. and confirmed that England will be playing in Group L against Croatia, Panama, and Ghana!  

While the tournament is spread across the width of the USA as well as cities in Canada and Mexico, the Three Lions will remain in the US for the group stage. And beyond that? Watch this space! 

Where is England playing? 

The Three Lions’ FIFA World Cup campaign hits the ground running with a blockbuster opener against Croatia, under the lights at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Wednesday 17th June 2026 at 3pm CDT (9pm BST).  

Next, the team heads to the East Coast for their second group clash, taking on Ghana at Boston Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Tuesday 23rd June at 4pm EDT (9pm BST).  

And finally, the Three Lions round off the group stage in style with a showdown against Panama, which is all set for Saturday 27th June at 5pm EDT (10pm BST) at the iconic New York New Jersey Stadium in the Big Apple.  

Two warm-up games are planned before the tournament kicks off, but the dates and locations are yet to be confirmed.  

Thanks to FIFA’s new Wimbledon-style seeding system, England have been given a favourable draw. Assuming all four top-seeded nations win their groups, England will avoid big hitters like Spain and Argentina until at least the semi-finals, and they won’t run into France unless it’s in the final. 

How can I maximise my time in these cities? 

Boston, New York and Dallas are all iconic US cities and make worthy holiday destinations—with or without the football—and non-stop flights to all three locations from the UK are available to book now. Boston and New York are about 4-5 hours’ drive or an Amtrak train journey from each other, so if you want to spend a few days in each city while England is in action, it is very easy to do so on a twin-centre trip. 

Boston is a true jewel in America’s crown, where heritage meets contemporary, and the city’s storied past seamlessly sits alongside the modern age. It’s iconic sports teams are a big part of Boston’s history, including the Boston Red Sox baseball team, the New England Patriots American football team, and the Boston Celtics basketball team. So, on the days you can’t secure a World Cup ticket, you can still look to experience a classic American ball game. 

We also love to walk the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail that links 16 of the city’s key sites from the American Revolution such as Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, and the USS Constitution. 

New York needs no introduction. Its towering skyline, world-class shopping, and unrivalled city vibes are a thing of distinction. The MetLife Stadium is located just west of the George Washington Bridge that connects New Jersey and Manhattan and is easily accessible from the city, taking about 15–20 minutes by car (depending on traffic), or approximately 30–45 minutes via public transport (bus or train). Pre- and post-football-watching can be spent exploring the city’s museums, restaurants, shops, and famous landmarks like a true WAG. 

Dallas is a vibrant, larger-than-life city with a personality as huge as its food portions. Despite the glittering skyscrapers and vast shopping opportunities, Dallas retains much of its cowboy spirit and historical significance. Cultural landmarks include the historic Fair Park for Art Deco architecture, Dealey Plaza to give remembrance for the JFK assassination site and the vibrant Arts District, home to the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Dallas Museum of Art.  

Travelling around the USA, Canada, and Mexico to watch the World Cup sounds like a dream trip, but with time limitations and huge distances between match locations, your best strategy is to stick to a preferred region. If you concentrate on the USA’s east coast, you can travel easily between major cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and even Miami down in Florida. 

The West Coast features Vancouver in Canada, nearby Seattle, and LA and San Francisco further down in California. Mexico’s match locations in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City can be paired with the southern US hotspots of Dallas and Houston.

What if England top their group? 

It’s the question every England fan will be asking as the group stage unfolds. While the exact route through the knockouts can’t be mapped in advance, finishing first in Group L under the new 48-team format could offer the Three Lions a crucial advantage. They’ll benefit from an easier entry point into the knockout rounds and a pathway that keeps the biggest threats like France, Spain, Brazil, and current world champions Argentina, at arm’s length for as long as possible. Here are the locations and dates of the matches in the knock-out stages: 

• The Round of 32 games will be played between 28th June and 3rd July in the mid-to larger-size stadiums across all three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the US  
• The Round of 16 games are set for 4th-7th July and will be played in the bigger stadiums in Philadelphia, Houston, New York, Mexico City, Dallas, Seattle, Atlanta and Vancouver 
• The Quarter Finals will be played on 9th-11th July in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston 
• The Semi-Finals will be played on the 14th and 15th July in Dallas and Atlanta 
• The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final will be played in New York-New Jersey (the MetLife Stadium serves the entire massive metropolitan area, not just one city) 

Planning preparations… 

If you’re hoping to visit the US over the duration of the World Cup and aren’t planning on staying for more than 90 days, you should apply and pay for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) prior to departure for $21 USD. And for UK fans wanting to visit Canada, you’ll need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), which costs CAD $7. 

For those seeking a little Mexican adventure next summer to coincide with the World Cup fun, you don’t need a visa, you’ll just get a cool stamp in your passport for your FMM tourist permit. 



When you’re ready to kick off an epic footballing summer, view our bespoke World Cup Packages or enquire online in minutes.