USA at the FIFA World Cup 2026: Making an Entrance

Hosting a World Cup comes with a certain level of expectations, and nobody knows it better than the Americans. The 1994 edition, the last time America staged football's biggest event, saw unprecedented crowds and turned American soccer on its head. Three decades on, the US is one of the three countries hosting next summer's FIFA World Cup, but a very different footballing landscape exists below ground. The game has exploded across the states in the years since 1994. MLS is now composed of more than 30 teams. The academy system churns out technically-gifted players that make appearances in Europe's top five leagues. And for the first time in decades, the US national team can look at the competition with optimism.

The Americans enter the 2026 World Cup having no qualms with their presence on the world's biggest stage. For American fans, there will be millions of people across America tuning into the tournament — this is the tournament that could define their football. If you want to be at an event that can only be seen in a stadium instead of sitting on your couch, get your World Cup 2026 Tickets right away. Interest in the USMNT among the home crowd has never been higher.

How Far Can the USMNT Go?

To put it simply, this USA team is the most talented side this nation has fielded at the tournament yet. Christian Pulisic is among the finest players to ever wear the Stars and Stripes. He provides the flair for the USMNT at AC Milan. When he's fit, Tyler Adams can play the holding role that forms the team's base. In theory, Gio Reyna can do the same thing to a defence. The United States has several forwards, including Ricardo Pepi, who are making their names across Europe's leagues.

The USMNT are in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye. The team has been drawn in a way that gives them a realistic path to the round of 32 and beyond. The American nation will host at 11 different venues in the states this summer. That kind of backing won't be lost on the US players. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, and AT&T Stadium in Dallas will have some raucous crowds when the US takes the pitch in its home country. The home tournaments are usually where you see all sorts of unexpected outcomes, and the US will have no shortage of confidence and backing. A quarter-final would be real improvement. A semi-final would be historic. This expanded format, which includes a round of 32, will give the team a bit more time to work on the early rounds and to peak for the knockout stages, which should be in their favor along with the venues, the fans, and the energy of hosting the event.

Do US Fans Need a Visa? Travelling Between the Host Cities

Obviously, the US is in the home stretch for this tournament, but with 11 venues from the West Coast (Seattle and San Francisco) to the East Coast (Boston and Miami), it's still going to require some planning.

Domestic flights: The easiest way to see the USMNT in multiple host cities is by air. Most major American carriers — American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United — have plenty of connections between the host cities. If fans are planning on seeing games in multiple cities, they should book early. It is peak travel season, and you can expect ticket prices to increase as the tournament draws closer.

Fans from around the world entering the US: Obviously, many fans from other nations will be crossing the border to see their team play, or to attend the tournament in general. The requirements for fans depend on their country of origin. The US State Department has a website at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas with a list of entry rules and instructions for getting a visa or ESTA, depending on a fan's country. Fans from Visa Waiver Program countries must have a valid ESTA. Fans from non-VWP countries — which includes Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico — will need to apply for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa and are encouraged to do so early, given the demand on US consular services this summer.

Crossing from Mexico and Canada: A lot of Mexican fans in Mexico City and fans from Canada will be travelling down for games in North America. The entry requirement for fans crossing the US/Mexico/Canada borders is to bring a valid passport and, where applicable, a visa or appropriate travel document. The wait times at some border crossings are already substantial, and times at the busiest crossings will grow with increased travel during the summer, so fans must be prepared to spend extra time getting in.

The Home Venues: The World Cup Host Cities

There are 11 host cities for the US to play games, which offers fans from all across the nation the ability to watch the action live, no matter where they are based.

Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium): The world's biggest market is a major World Cup venue this time around. SoFi Stadium is among the most technically sophisticated stadiums in the world, and with LAFC and LA Galaxy's continued growth in the area, Los Angeles will surely provide an electric atmosphere on World Cup match days.

New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium): The World Cup Final will be held on July 19, and with New York being the most internationally minded area in the US, the atmosphere during the knockout stages here will be incredible. For anyone who can make their way to New Jersey for the last round, this is where the World Cup really happens.

Dallas (AT&T Stadium): With a huge football fan base in the Dallas-Arlington area, this stadium is not just a major venue in football, but it's a major part of American sports culture as a whole. Arlington will be well-located with respect to logistics.

Miami (Hard Rock Stadium): Because of Miami's Latin-American football culture, it adds a unique dimension to World Cup matches here. Passionate, loud, and knowledgeable, match days in Miami will have a different energy to almost anywhere else on the host schedule.

Other cities: Seattle (Lumen Field), San Francisco (Levi's Stadium), Boston (Gillette Stadium), Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field), Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium), Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), and Houston (NRG Stadium) are all in strong football areas with solid infrastructure to make a trip to the games enjoyable.

Accommodation: USMNT-Focused Schedule Planning

As you likely know, the USMNT's knockout route will only become clear as the tournament progresses. So any American fan trying to watch the USMNT in the knockout stages will have to decide in advance what city they hope to see the team in.

Use sites like Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia to book free cancellation hotels in multiple places, so that when the draw gets closer you can cancel the hotels that won't be necessary. This way you can ensure you have lodging in as many possible USMNT destination cities as possible to avoid last-minute booking problems.

Within walking distance of most host city stadiums is plenty of accommodation — the exception is SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, which does not have a lot of nearby accommodation and would be served best by riding Uber or using the train from a nearby neighbourhood. MetLife Stadium has tons of accommodation just a short commute away.

If you want to go to the World Cup Final at MetLife, East Rutherford and Secaucus will both work, though New York City will be the more glamorous option — Manhattan will be much pricier, particularly during the knockout rounds.

Tickets: How to Get Into the Games

You must use FIFA.com to acquire official World Cup tickets. There, you will find the official ticket listings, official resale listings, and hospitality packages for any World Cup match. Avoid going on Reddit threads, Facebook groups, or other forums if tickets are showing as sold out or no longer listed on FIFA.com. Instead, purchase from verified resellers including Ticombo, Seatpick, or other trusted and verified secondary markets that guarantee each transaction. Secondary market prices may exceed face value. Fans purchasing for parties, families or other groups are encouraged to plan ahead because while adjacent seating is ideal, it is not always guaranteed, and each host city venue has a distinct configuration.

Practical Fan Advice for US-Based Fans

Getting around: Rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft tend to be most flexible when it comes to traveling to and from stadiums in many of the host cities. Several venues will offer specific transit connections on match days as well. Review host venues' transit guidance before your travel.

Parking: Parking at or near the World Cup venues will be limited and pricey. If driving to a World Cup match is a must, plan to reserve parking online before heading to the game.

Stadium rules: FIFA has regulations for World Cup stadiums regarding what is allowed in the venue that are not the same as NFL or MLS stadiums. Review the FIFA Match-Day Guide before attending.

Weather: The weather across the US in July varies. Expect temperatures to be mild in Seattle. Expect heat and humidity in Miami and Houston. In Dallas, it will be dry but hot. Expect warm weather in Los Angeles. Plan accordingly, including when wearing your colors in outdoor fan zones.

Money and payment: In almost all venues, credit and debit cards will be accepted. Cash may become less common but it is always a good idea to bring small bills for vendors in fan zones.

Final Thought

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest sporting event ever on American soil. American soccer fans who have watched the sport grow from the outside margins into mainstream culture have been working toward this event. And now, with the best the USMNT has to offer on the pitch, home country support, and the belief that a memorable run is possible, this is it.

For fans who want to be inside the stadium when it happens, the time to act is now. USA World Cup 2026 Tickets are some of the most coveted in this year's tournament — specifically for all USMNT games — and time is running out to purchase through trusted marketplaces.

America's World Cup. America's time.

Disclaimer: Visa, travel conditions, flight prices and ticket policies can all change without notice. Fans are advised to verify all relevant information with their country's embassy website and government travel site, FIFA's website and official sources, and their airline before confirming travel or booking tickets. Secondary market ticket prices may differ from face value.