2026 World Cup: When and Where to Travel 

Football fans, it’s time to mark your calendars – the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the most expansive tournament in the event’s history. The competition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 vibrant cities throughout the USA, Mexico, and Canada. So, what better time to pack your suitcase and jet off to the other side of the Atlantic. Whether you’re planning a full football-fuelled holiday or just want to bask in the party atmosphere while taking in top city sights, this guide will help you decide when and where to travel… 

Overview of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11th, 2026, marking the start of a summer like no other. Your footballing heroes from across the globe will touch down at Mexico City for the opening game at the iconic Estadio Azteca. And from the high altitudes of Mexico City to the bright lights of New York, this World Cup promises not just epic matches, but also unforgettable travel experiences from any of these host cities… 

Canada – Toronto, Vancouver 

Mexico – Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey 

USA – Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area 
 

When to travel and where to go… 

Warm-Up Matches 6th - 10th June

If you’re heading to Florida just before the World Cup, you could very well score a bonus fixture. England will be setting up their pre-tournament training camp in the Sunshine State, with two friendly matches lined up. They’ll play against New Zealand on Saturday 6th June and Costa Rica on Wednesday 10th June. 

Venues and kick-off times are still to come, but the opportunity is already there. A chance to witness the final steps before football’s biggest stage.

Group stage – 11th - 27th June 

This is the most diverse phase of the tournament. All 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will matches, and it’s the ideal time to travel if you want to soak up the multicultural buzz.  

For England and Scotland supporters, Dallas, Boston, New York, and Miami are the key cities. Boston and New York are close enough for a day trip, letting you catch Scotland against Haiti in Boston on Sunday 14th June, then Scotland vs Morocco on Friday 19th June, and England vs Ghana in Boston on Tuesday 23rd June, before heading to New York for England vs Panama on Saturday 27th June. You could also mix it up with a New York & Miami twin-centre, supporting Scotland in Miami against Brazil on Wednesday 24th June, or even add Dallas to cheer on England vs Croatia on Wednesday 17th June.

For something different, we like the idea of flying into Toronto, one of Canada's most international cities. It hosts four group-stage matches, including a potential Home Counties fixture of Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina/Italy/Northern Ireland/Wales on Friday 12th July, as well as Ghana vs Panama on Thursday 18th June, Germany vs. Côte d’Ivoire on Saturday, 20 June, and Panama vs Croatia on Wednesday, 24th June. After exploring the CN Tower, Kensington Market, and the Harbourfront, you can take a short flight to New York for iconic sights and to cheer on England against Panama on Saturday 27th June. 



Alternatively, it’s also a great opportunity to experience Mexican flair with several games held at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Notably, it will host the opening match on Thursday 11th June when Mexico takes on South Africa. 
 

Round of 32 – 28th June – 3rd July 

The knockout stages kick off on 28th June, and while most host cities will see knockout stage action, it’s time to become more tactical with your location. 

We love the idea of a West Coast adventure through Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. We recommend starting in LA, where matches at the innovative SoFi Stadium pair perfectly with Hollywood glam, beach days, and world-class dining.  

One of the standout matches in LA is the Round of 32 match on Thursday 2nd July where the Group H winners take on the Group J runners-up. If predictions are anything to go by, this potentially means an Argentina vs Algeria match, though, as always in the World Cup, surprises are part of the fun.

Then head north to San Francisco, where the stadium hosts thrilling games near iconic sights like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. A key fixture to aim for is a Round of 32 match when the winners of Group D play third place from Group B/E/F/I/J. With the USA in Group D and hoping to top their group’s leaderboard, this is sure to be a match full of energy.



Then wrap up your trip in Seattle, a city with deep football roots and electric matchdays—plus coffee culture, waterfront views, and buzzing markets. The Round of 32 in Seattle is scheduled for Wednesday 1st July, when the Group G winners face a third-place team from Groups A, E, H, I, or J. This could see Belgium or Egypt in action, though upsets are always possible.

As ever, we’re hopeful that England tops their group, which means they could play in the Round of 32 play-offs on Wednesday 1st July in Atlanta. While this does add a cross-country leg to your trip, it’s an opportunity to experience the charm of the Georgian capital, with its Southern hospitality, civil rights history, and, of course, the birthplace of Coca-Cola.

While Scotland finds themselves in a tough group alongside Brazil and Morocco, the chances of them finishing third in their group are pretty good, so they could see themselves playing a Round of 32 match in Mexico City on Wednesday 1st July. If you ask us, a California & Mexico multi-centre is always a great idea as you experience football and culture all in one go. 
 

Round of 16 – 4th- 7th July 

Philadelphia, Houston, New Jersey New York, Mexico City, Arlington, Seattle, Atlanta, and Vancouver will host Round of 16 fixtures. 



Yet come 4th of July, we reckon it’s prime time to be in Philadelphia, one of America’s most historic cities, where a Round of 16 match takes place that very day. You can start off the round of 16 in style by cheering on your side at Lincoln Financial Field, then dive into U.S. history with visits to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall – where American government took form. 

Or if you want to get a taste of Southern hospitality, we recommend visiting Houston, also host to a Round of 16 play off on the 4th of July. This dynamic, multicultural city is known for its space heritage, world-class museums, and booming culinary scene. Plus, those Southerners sure can bring the atmosphere on game day. 
 

Quarter Finals – 9th -11th July 

The quarter final fixtures will be played across Foxborough (Boston area) Inglewood (Los Angeles area), Miami, and Kansas City.  



For the ultimate World Cup party, Miami is the place to be July 2026 for the quarter-final match on Saturday 11th July. Having hosted the Super Bowl six times, the Hard Rock Stadium knows how to put on a show. But don’t worry, if you’re not lucky enough to be inside, there is still plenty to enjoy, from the palm-lined streets of South Beach to the Latin vibes of Little Havana. You also may want to take advantage of our multi-centre holidays and pair Miami with a stop to see Disney royalty in Orlando or set your sights on the stunning Florida Keys. 
 

Semi Finals – 14th - 15th July  

The semi finals are set to be held in Dallas and Atlanta. Dallas offers visitors a mix of cutting-edge entertainment, Texan barbecue, and vibrant arts districts. Whether you’re exploring the historic Dealey Plaza or catching the skyline views from Reunion Tower, Dallas delivers a high-impact World Cup experience both on and off the pitch.  
Atlanta on the other hand is known for its rich civil rights history, vibrant food scene, and passionate sports culture. The city will see games kicking off at the classy Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers an unforgettable backdrop to the beautiful game.  
 

Final – 19th July 

There’s no better stage for the World Cup Final than the unstoppable energy of New York City. With the world watching, MetLife Stadium, in ‘New York New Jersey’, will host football’s biggest night just across the Hudson, while the city buzzes with global fans, epic watch parties, and unforgettable moments. Before and after the match, you can wander through Central Park, toast in Times Square, or sail past the Statue of Liberty—all in a single day.
 

Travel Tips for the 2026 World Cup… 

Plan early – With the World Cup set to be the hottest ticket in town come 2026, we absolutely recommend getting in there early to secure flights and accommodation. With increased demand, not only will spaces book up fast, but the closer it gets, the more the prices may be hiked up. So, if you don’t want to pay a small fortune to secure your next holiday, it’s time to get planning! 

Consider a multi-centre holiday – With a city-spanning tournament, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a multi-centre holiday. Perhaps you’ll want to combine a host city with another on your bucket list or go football fanatic and pack in two destinations that will be welcoming many iconic names of the game. 

Book with experts – With so much at stake you will want to be sure you’re in capable hands. Booking with Ocean Florida means we can help tailor your trip with flights, hotels, car hire, and even attraction tickets – taking the stress out of your World Cup adventure. 


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