World Cup 2026 Travel Guide: Visas, Transport & Accommodation Tactics

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be unlike any tournament before it. Spread across three countries, 16 cities, and four time zones, this is the biggest logistical challenge fans have ever faced. But don't worry – we've created the ultimate travel handbook to help you navigate visas, transport, and accommodation across the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The "Three-Zone" Challenge

Before you book anything, understand the geography. The 16 host cities are spread across a massive area – roughly 3,000 miles from Vancouver to Miami. Smart fans are grouping cities into three regional clusters:

Western Cluster

City	Country	Stadium	Capacity
Vancouver	Canada	BC Place	54,500
Seattle	USA	Lumen Field	69,000
San Francisco	USA	Levi's Stadium	71,000
Los Angeles	USA	SoFi Stadium	70,000

Travel tip: These four cities are connected by a coastal route. You can drive from Vancouver to LA (or vice versa) in about 20 hours, making road trips viable for dedicated fans.

Central Cluster

City	Country	Stadium	Capacity
Mexico City	Mexico	Estadio Azteca	83,000
Guadalajara	Mexico	Estadio Akron	46,000
Monterrey	Mexico	Estadio BBVA	53,000
Dallas	USA	AT&T Stadium	80,000
Houston	USA	NRG Stadium	72,000
Kansas City	USA	Arrowhead Stadium	76,000

Travel tip: Mexico's three cities form a triangle in the country's north-central region. Dallas and Houston are natural connection points to cross into Mexico.

Eastern Cluster

City	Country	Stadium	Capacity
Toronto	Canada	BMO Field	45,000
Boston	USA	Gillette Stadium	65,000
Philadelphia	USA	Lincoln Financial Field	69,000
New York/NJ	USA	MetLife Stadium	82,500
Atlanta	USA	Mercedes-Benz Stadium	71,000
Miami	USA	Hard Rock Stadium	65,000

Travel tip: The East Coast has excellent rail connections via Amtrak. Toronto-New York and Boston-Philadelphia routes are efficient alternatives to flying.

Distance Reality Check

Route	Distance	Flight Time	Drive Time
Los Angeles → New York	2,450 mi	5h 30m	40+ hours
Vancouver → Mexico City	2,700 mi	5h 15m	50+ hours
Miami → Toronto	1,500 mi	3h 15m	22 hours
Dallas → Seattle	2,100 mi	4h 15m	32 hours
Mexico City → Monterrey	575 mi	1h 30m	9 hours

Key takeaway: Flying is essential for cross-cluster travel. Budget accordingly.

Visa Maze Solved

One of the biggest challenges of World Cup 2026 is navigating three different immigration systems. Here's what you need to know:

United States Entry: ESTA or B-2 Visa

For citizens of 40+ Visa Waiver Program countries (UK, EU, Japan, Australia, etc.):

Requirement	Details
Document	ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
Cost	$21 USD
Validity	2 years or until passport expires
Max Stay	90 days per visit
Apply	esta.cbp.dhs.gov

For other nationalities:

• Apply for a B-2 Tourist Visa at your nearest US embassy
• Processing times vary: 3-6 months in many countries
• FIFA PASS: World Cup ticket holders get prioritized visa appointments

Important: Apply early! The US State Department has partnered with FIFA to create the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS). Ticket holders receive prioritized interview slots, but demand will be enormous.

Canada Entry: eTA or Visitor Visa

For citizens of eTA-eligible countries (UK, EU, most Commonwealth nations):

Requirement	Details
Document	eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Cost	CAD $7 (~$5 USD)
Validity	5 years or until passport expires
Max Stay	Up to 6 months per visit
Apply	canada.ca/eta

For other nationalities:

• Apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) well in advance
• Processing can take several months

Pro tip: If you're arriving overland from the US, you don't need an eTA – just your passport. But you still need valid entry authorization for the US.

Mexico Entry: FMM or Visa

For citizens of 65+ visa-exempt countries (US, Canada, EU, UK, Japan, South Korea):

Requirement	Details
Document	FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple)
Cost	Free for stays under 7 days; ~$35 USD for longer
Max Stay	Up to 180 days
How	Filled out on arrival or online beforehand

Special rule: If you hold a valid US, Canadian, Schengen, UK, or Japanese visa, you're automatically visa-exempt for Mexico as a tourist.

For other nationalities:

• Apply for a Mexican Visitor Visa at your nearest consulate
• Mexico's VIVIS electronic visa pilot may be available for some countries

Multi-Country Strategy

Planning to visit all three countries? Here's the recommended approach:

1. Apply for your US entry first (ESTA or visa) – it's typically the most restrictive
2. Get your Canadian eTA – fast and easy online
3. Mexico is usually simplest – especially if you have a valid US visa

Passport validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your final departure date.

Transport Strategy

Flying: The Hub System

Major airline hubs for World Cup 2026:

Hub City	Airlines	Best For
Dallas (DFW)	American	Central cluster + Mexico connections
Houston (IAH)	United	Mexico + East Coast connections
Los Angeles (LAX)	Multiple	West Coast + international arrivals
Miami (MIA)	American	Latin America connections
New York (JFK/EWR)	Multiple	International arrivals
Toronto (YYZ)	Air Canada	Canada + transatlantic
Mexico City (MEX)	Aeromexico	All Mexican venues

Budget carrier options:

• Southwest (USA domestic, no Mexico)
• Spirit/Frontier (cheap but check baggage fees)
• Volaris/VivaAerobus (Mexico specialists)
• Flair Airlines (Canadian budget carrier)

Driving: When It Makes Sense

Good for driving:

• Within the West Coast cluster (Vancouver → Seattle → SF → LA)
• Within Texas (Dallas ↔ Houston)
• Mexico's triangle (Mexico City ↔ Guadalajara ↔ Monterrey)
• East Coast corridor (Boston → NYC → Philadelphia)

Skip driving for:

• Cross-cluster travel (fly instead)
• Mexico border crossings (complex paperwork for rental cars)

Border crossing tips:

• US-Canada: Generally smooth with proper documentation. NEXUS card holders get expedited lanes.
• US-Mexico: More complex. Most rental companies don't allow their cars into Mexico. Consider renting separately on each side.

Rail: The Hidden Gem

Amtrak (USA):

Route	Duration	Why It Works
Boston → New York	3h 45m	Avoid airport hassles
New York → Philadelphia	1h 15m	City center to city center
Seattle → Vancouver	4h	Scenic Cascades route

Via Rail (Canada):

• Toronto ↔ Vancouver is not practical (4+ days)
• Toronto ↔ Montreal works but no World Cup matches in Montreal

Mexican Rail:

• Limited passenger rail options
• Stick to buses or flights

Ground Transport at Match Cities

Most stadiums are not downtown. Plan your game day transport:

Stadium	From City Center	Best Option
MetLife (NYC)	8 miles	NJ Transit train + shuttle
SoFi (LA)	12 miles	Metro + shuttle or rideshare
AT&T (Dallas)	20 miles	Rideshare or DART + shuttle
Arrowhead (KC)	10 miles	Rideshare (limited transit)
Gillette (Boston)	30 miles	MBTA train + shuttle
Hard Rock (Miami)	17 miles	Rideshare
Estadio Azteca (CDMX)	10 miles	Metro Line 2

Kansas City warning: Arrowhead Stadium has minimal public transit. Plan for rideshare, taxis, or driving with stadium parking.

Accommodation Hacks

The Base Camp Strategy

Instead of chasing matches, consider establishing a "base camp" and making day trips:

Best base camp cities:

Base	Reach These Venues	Why It Works
Dallas	Dallas, Houston (4h drive)	Affordable, central
New York	NYC, Philadelphia (2h), Boston (4h)	Transit options
Los Angeles	LA, San Francisco (flight)	International flights
Mexico City	All 3 Mexican venues	Hub for Mexico matches

Booking Timing

When to book:

• Flights: 3-6 months before (monitor for sales)
• Hotels in host cities: NOW – prices are already rising
• Alternative cities: 2-3 months before

Alternative accommodation cities:

Instead of...	Try...	Distance
Manhattan, NYC	Newark or Jersey City	10-20 min
Central Los Angeles	Inglewood or Long Beach	15-30 min
Downtown Dallas	Arlington or Fort Worth	20-30 min
Miami Beach	Fort Lauderdale	30-40 min
Central Toronto	Mississauga	20-30 min

Budget Options

• Airbnb/VRBO: Often cheaper for groups, but book early
• Hostels: Available in most US cities, common in Mexico
• University housing: Some campuses rent summer dorms
• Camping: RV parks exist near some suburban stadiums

Price Expectations

City	Avg. Hotel (Match Nights)	Budget Option
New York	$350-500/night	$150-200 (Newark)
Los Angeles	$250-400/night	$120-180 (suburbs)
Miami	$300-450/night	$140-200 (Ft. Lauderdale)
Dallas	$200-350/night	$100-150 (Arlington)
Mexico City	$150-250/night	$60-100
Toronto	$250-400/night	$120-180 (Mississauga)

Safety & Health

Emergency Numbers

Country	Emergency	Police
USA	911	911
Canada	911	911
Mexico	911	911 (unified in 2017)

Travel Insurance

Highly recommended. Look for policies covering:

• Medical emergencies (US healthcare is expensive!)
• Trip cancellation/interruption
• Lost/stolen tickets
• Emergency evacuation

Recommended minimum coverage: $100,000 medical, $10,000 trip cancellation

Health Considerations

Altitude:

• Mexico City sits at 7,350 feet (2,240m)
• Allow 1-2 days to acclimatize
• Stay hydrated, limit alcohol initially

Heat:

• June/July temperatures in Miami, Houston, Dallas can exceed 95°F (35°C)
• Stadium A/C available in Dallas (AT&T), Houston (NRG), Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz), Los Angeles (SoFi)
• Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated

Water:

• Tap water is safe in USA and Canada
• In Mexico, stick to bottled water or purified water ("agua purificada")

Currency & Payment

Country	Currency	Cards Accepted?	Tipping
USA	USD	Widely	18-20% expected
Canada	CAD	Widely	15-20% standard
Mexico	MXN	In cities, yes	10-15% appreciated

Pro tip: Notify your bank of travel dates to avoid card blocks. Consider a no-foreign-transaction-fee card.

Putting It All Together: Sample Itineraries

Budget Fan: Eastern Focus (10 days, ~$3,500)

1. Fly into Newark (cheaper than JFK)
2. Base in Jersey City or Newark
3. Attend 2-3 matches at MetLife
4. Day trip to Philadelphia match via Amtrak
5. Explore NYC between games

Mid-Range: Cross-Border Adventure (14 days, ~$6,000)

1. Fly into Mexico City
2. Attend opening match at Estadio Azteca
3. Bus to Guadalajara for another match
4. Fly to Dallas for knockout round
5. Fly home from Dallas

Premium: The Grand Tour (21 days, ~$12,000+)

1. Start in Vancouver, attend group match
2. Fly to Los Angeles for knockout match
3. Fly to Dallas for semifinal
4. Fly to New Jersey for final
5. Celebrate (or commiserate) in NYC

Frequently Asked Questions

What visa do I need for World Cup 2026?

It depends on your nationality and which countries you're visiting. Most European, Australian, and Japanese citizens need: an ESTA ($21) for the USA, an eTA (CAD $7) for Canada, and an FMM (free/low cost) for Mexico. Citizens of other countries may need full visitor visas – apply 6+ months in advance.

Can I cross between USA, Canada, and Mexico during the World Cup?

Yes, but each border crossing requires valid documentation. US-Canada is straightforward with proper visas/authorization. US-Mexico crossings are more complex – most rental cars cannot cross, and you'll need proper Mexican entry documentation.

How far apart are World Cup 2026 venues?

The venues span approximately 3,000 miles from Vancouver to Miami. Flying is essential for cross-regional travel. Within clusters (West Coast, Texas, East Coast, Mexico), driving or ground transport is feasible.

How early should I book World Cup 2026 accommodation?

Now. Hotel prices in host cities are already elevated for June-July 2026. The earlier you book, the better rates you'll find. Consider alternative cities 20-30 minutes from stadiums for significant savings.

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Check our Venues page for detailed stadium information. View the complete match schedule on our Scores page.