Overview
Soccer fans, and really any major sporting event fan, get ready. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is about to break records. For the first time, the world’s biggest sporting event will be spread across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 48 teams competing in 104 matches. Whether you’re a lifelong supporter or new to the global spectacle, planning ahead will be essential.
This roadmap covers where the tournament will be, how ticketing works, and why the Visa presale is your best shot at early access.
Where the World Cup Will Be
The tournament will be played in 16 host cities across 3 countries, each bringing its own flavor of culture, fan experience, and stadium atmosphere.
United States (11 cities)
New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium) – Host of the final. Modern, massive, and in the shadow of the NYC skyline.
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium) – Futuristic and flashy, perfect for big match nights.
Dallas (AT&T Stadium) – A dome with one of the biggest screens in the world.
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) – Expect tropical vibes and international fan culture.
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) – Known for its unique design and retractable roof.
Houston (NRG Stadium) – Central hub for fans coming from Latin America.
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium) – Heartland soccer energy, passionate fanbase.
Seattle (Lumen Field) – Famous for noise levels and dedicated soccer fans.
San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium) – Tech hub meets global sport.
Boston (Gillette Stadium) – Historic sports town with rich U.S. soccer history.
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field) – Gritty, passionate, and easily accessible.
Mexico (3 cities)
Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) – Historic venue for the opening match, once home to Pele and Maradona’s World Cup moments.
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron) – A modern stadium with Mexican flair.
Monterrey (Estadio BBVA) – Known for its stunning mountain backdrop.
Canada (2 cities)
- Toronto (BMO Field) – Expanded to host more fans, in the heart of Canada’s largest city.
- Vancouver (BC Place) – Coastal venue with a retractable roof and scenic backdrop.
Together, these cities create a World Cup that’s not just about soccer; it’s about traveling across cultures and countries, all within one tournament.
How Can You Get Tickets
Tickets officially go on sale, today, September 10, 2025. The process is split into phases:
Visa Presale Lottery (Sept 10–19, 2025)
Exclusive to Visa cardholders.
Winners of the lottery get first access to purchase tickets starting Oct 1.
Random Draw Sales (Oct–Nov 2025)
Additional lotteries open to all fans.
First-Come, First-Served Sales (Dec 2025 onward)
After the group-stage draw in December, tickets tied to specific matchups will be released.
Official Resale Platform
FIFA will launch a resale site before the tournament, ensuring safe transactions.
Ticket Prices
Group Stage: Starting around $60.
Final Match: Prices could climb to $6,700+
Hospitality Packages: Available now, ranging from $5,300 to over $70,000, with options like venue series, “follow my team,” and VIP experiences
The VISA Pre-Sale Advantage
The Visa Presale Lottery is the golden ticket for fans looking to lock in seats early. Here’s how it works:
Eligibility: Only Visa debit or credit cards are valid. No other payment methods will be accepted in this phase.
Application: Apply between Sept 10–19, 2025 with your Visa card information via FIFA.com/tickets.
Selection: If chosen in the lottery, you’ll be able to buy tickets before anyone else (starting Oct 1).
Click this link to join the queue and hopefully get the option to buy your tickets early. Set up your FIFA ID account early and link your Visa card to avoid last-minute issues.
- Best for: Beginner Travelers
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
- Reward Rate: 1X - 5X
- Recommended Credit: 670-850
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
75,000 Bonus Points
Offer Details:
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Why we like it
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the ultimate all-around travel credit card—it fits perfectly into almost any points-earner’s wallet. Points novices can enjoy a significant intro bonus and easy to grasp spending categories with an approachable annual fee. The more experienced can utilize its high value earning potential as a secondary card and also gain access to Chase’s strong travel booking portal.
Reward details
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
2x on all other travel purchases.
1x on all other purchases.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The $50 dollar hotel credit for stays purchased on the Chase Travel Portal already cuts the already approachable $95 annual fee significantly.
10% anniversary points boost – each account anniversary you’ll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Along with all of the above, cardholders also have access to a string of travel protections like rental coverage, cancellation insurance, and purchase protection.
Cons
It’s subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule. So, if you’ve opened five cards in the last two years, you’re most likely not going to be accepted.
Competing cards like the Capital One Venture have a better earning rate for non-bonus spend.
Chase has a once-per-lifetime rule for sign-up bonuses on their Sapphire cards, including the Sapphire Preferred, Sapphire Reserve, and Sapphire Reserve for Business. So, once you’ve earned a welcome bonus on any of these cards, you’ll never be eligible for the bonus again on the same card.
Terms Apply
Your World Cup Checklist
✅ Learn the host cities and map your travel route.
✅ Register for a FIFA ID at FIFA.com/tickets.
✅ If you have a Visa card, apply for the Visa Presale Lottery (Sept 10–19, 2025).
✅ Watch for random draws in October/November and first-come sales after the December draw.
✅ Stick to FIFA’s official resale site to avoid scams.
✅ Plan travel documents and book accommodations early.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a once-in-a-lifetime event; bigger, more global, and more accessible than ever before. With 16 cities across North America, the fan experience will be as much about travel and culture as it is about soccer.
If you’re serious about going, the Visa presale lottery is your first, and best, chance to secure tickets. From there, smart planning of travel and accommodations will make your journey smoother.
So start early, dream big, and get ready: the road to 2026 begins now.
- Best for: Travelers who want to keep it simple
- Annual Fee: $95
- APR: 19.99% - 29.24% (Variable)
- Reward Rate: 2X-5X
- Recommended Credit: 660-850
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
75,000 Bonus Miles
Offer Details:
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $750 in travel
Why we like it
The Capital One Venture is an excellent go-to card for any traveler, thanks to its easy to navigate 2 miles per dollar on every purchase. With no bonus categories to consider, a reasonable $95 annual fee, and a strong intro offer worth at least $750 in travel rewards.
Reward details
5 Miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Pros & Cons
Pros
-
The Capital One Venture’s current intro bonus is worth $750 when spent on Capital One’s (recently revamped) travel portal or you can use your miles to cover your recent purchases.
-
A steady 2 miles per dollar on all purchases makes earning simple and lucrative. You’ll also grab 5 miles per dollar when booking through Capital One’s travel portal.
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Its $95 annual fee is almost negligible, especially if the intro bonus is achieved.
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Flexible miles allow for a wide array of redemption options.
-
You can enjoy two free visits to a Capital One Lounge each year.
Cons
-
Capital One lacks US-based airline and hotel transfer partners.
-
Not many major perks beyond its miles value.
by your friends at The Daily Navigator
