THE TOURNAMENT 2026

The Biggest Football Tournament of 2026The 2026 international football tournament will be the largest ever staged — 48 nations competing across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. With the tournament now days away, this is your final planning headquarters for everything UK fans need to make the trip of a lifetime.

Whether you're flying out this month, planning to follow England into the knockout rounds, or watching from home and living vicariously — this guide has you covered.## The Draw Is Done — Here's Where Things StandThe group draw took place in December 2025 and the picture is now clear for each UK nation.

England are in Group C with Slovenia, Panama, and Senegal. The three group matches are confirmed for Philadelphia (Sat 13 June, 22:00 BST), MetLife Stadium NJ (Thu 18 June, 20:00 BST), and Miami (Wed 24 June, 20:00 BST). Full kick-off times in BST, knockout windows, and travel pointers are in our match-by-match fixtures guide. The Final is at MetLife Stadium on Sunday 19 July, kick-off 21:00 BST — the most UK-friendly Final slot in living memory.

Scotland and Wales did not qualify for the 2026 tournament. However, thousands of fans from both nations are travelling regardless — the Tartan Army and the Red Wall are famous for attending major tournaments as neutral supporters. Our dedicated Scotland guide and Wales guide cover exactly how to make the most of the trip even without your own nation on the pitch.## What You'll Find HereThis site is your one-stop resource for travelling from the UK to the 2026 tournament. Every guide is written specifically for UK fans — British English, BST kick-off times, routes from UK airports, and advice calibrated for UK passport holders.

• Flights — routes from every major UK airport, multi-city strategies for following England through the knockouts, internal North America travel
• Hotels — where to stay in all 16 host cities, neighbourhood guides, and late-availability advice
• Visas — ESTA (USA), eTA (Canada), and Mexico entry requirements with step-by-step guides; if you're travelling in June, apply immediately
• Fixtures — the full match schedule with all times in BST, tournament format explained, and England's fixture path
• Venues — all 16 stadia: transport, the mandatory clear bag policy, food and drink rules, and weather advice
• Budget — realistic cost breakdowns for budget, mid-range, and premium travellers across three very different economies
• Safety — travel insurance (the USA requires specialist cover), GHIC limitations, emergency contacts, and health prep
• Packing — the definitive kit list including the clear stadium bag, power adapters, and what to leave at home
• SIM & Mobile — how to stay connected across three countries without being hit with a punishing phone bill
• Host Cities — what to do in each host city beyond the match: food, culture, sightseeing, and nightlife
• Beers & Bar Food — the best local craft beers and bar food by city, from New York IPAs to Mexico City street tacos
• England Cities — deep dives into the specific host cities where England will play their group stage matches## Which Host City Is Right for You?With 16 cities across three countries, picking where to go is genuinely difficult. Here's a quick guide:

• New York / New Jersey — the most iconic setting. MetLife hosts the Final on 19 July. Expensive, but worth it for the full North American experience.
• Mexico City — the best value by a considerable margin. Roughly 2-3x cheaper than US cities, with world-class food, culture, and the legendary Estadio Azteca. The opening match venue.
• Los Angeles — year-round sunshine, beaches, entertainment, and SoFi Stadium. Premium prices, but a genuine bucket-list destination.
• Miami — combine a beach holiday with football. Hot, humid, and vibrant. Hard Rock Stadium requires planning to get to.
• Seattle or Vancouver — the most comfortable weather of any host city (18-25°C). Beautiful Pacific Northwest. Ideal if you don't want to watch football in 38°C heat.
• Boston or Philadelphia — easily reached from New York by Amtrak, notably cheaper, with strong fan atmospheres and rich history.
• Dallas or Houston — deep in American sports culture. Enormous air-conditioned stadiums. Extreme summer heat outside; be prepared.
• Guadalajara or Monterrey (Mexico) — less visited by UK fans, but excellent value and genuinely atmospheric Mexican cities.

See our Host Cities guide for full profiles of every host city.## This Is a Holiday, Not Just a TripYour match is 90 minutes. You will be in America for days — possibly weeks. Each host city is a world-class destination in its own right. New York. Los Angeles. Miami. Dallas. Seattle. San Francisco. Boston. Kansas City. These are legendary cities begging to be explored properly.

Don't go home having only seen a stadium and an airport. Our Host Cities guide covers the best things to do between matches, and our Beers & Bar Food guide shows you how to eat and drink like a local in each city.## Tournament at a Glance| Date | Event | Venue |

All times converted to BST in our Fixtures guide.## Last-Minute Checklist for June TravellersThe tournament is here. If you're travelling in June, these are the must-do items right now:

1. ESTA or eTA — apply immediately if you haven't. USA ESTA takes up to 72 hours (usually faster); Canada eTA is similar. Do not board a flight without it. Full visa guide →
2. Travel insurance — the USA has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK. GHIC does not cover the USA or Canada. Buy a policy with at least £1 million medical cover before you travel. Safety guide →
3. Download your tickets to your phone in advance. All 2026 tournament tickets are digital-only. Don't rely on stadium Wi-Fi at the gate — it will be overwhelmed. Fully charge your phone before leaving.
4. Get a clear bag — every venue enforces the NFL-standard clear bag policy. Backpacks are not permitted inside. A one-gallon clear zip-lock bag works. Venues guide →
5. Notify your bank that you're travelling, or switch to a fee-free card (Monzo, Starling, Wise) before you fly.
6. Check kick-off times in BST — an 8pm Eastern kick-off is 1am BST the following day. Plan your schedule accordingly. Full fixtures →## About This Guide2026world.uk is an independent fan guide for UK supporters attending the 2026 World Cup. We are not affiliated with FIFA, the Football Association, or any governing body. Our goal is practical: help UK fans have the best possible trip. All content is produced editorially. Some links are affiliate links which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you — these never influence what we write or recommend.

Last updated: May 2026. Tournament begins 11 June 2026.