Planning a 2026 World Cup trip: what I'd sort out first

A World Cup across three countries and sixteen cities is a trip-of-a-lifetime — and also the kind of thing that can quietly spiral out of control if you don't plan. I've put together the questions I'd want answered before booking anything. Treat this as a starting framework, not gospel: always double-check the official details closer to your travel dates, because they do change.

Tickets first

Buy through official channels. Full stop. Demand is enormous and the resale market is a minefield, so official sales are your protection against fraud and dud tickets. Work out early what you actually want — specific matches, a follow-your-team package, or just tickets in one host city — because the glamour fixtures vanish fastest. And if an offer looks too good to be true, it is. Counterfeits are a perennial problem at these tournaments.

Getting around

This is the bit people underestimate. The host cities are far apart, so internal travel is basically a second budget line. If you're chasing one team through the rounds, plan for flights and the hours they eat up — and remember you won't know your team's next location until shortly before a knockout match, so flexibility is worth paying for. Crossing borders between Canada, Mexico and the U.S. adds another layer; check your entry requirements well ahead and leave buffer time around match days.

Where to stay

• ▪Book the busiest match dates as early as you possibly can
• ▪Staying just outside the city centre (with good transit) can save real money
• ▪Group cities by region to avoid long-haul hops between games
• ▪Keep your knockout-round plans flexible — you won't know where you're headed
• ▪Budget for internal flights spiking around the big matches

Be honest about the budget

Tickets, flights, hotels, food, local transport — it stacks up fast. Set a realistic number early and decide what matters most to you. Is it seeing your team at every stage? Sampling a few host cities? Or just soaking up one or two unforgettable matches? Being honest with yourself here is what stops a dream trip from becoming a financial hangover.

Mind the conditions

Chunks of this tournament are in hot, humid summer weather, especially in some U.S. cities, and Mexico City sits up at altitude. Hydrate, plan for heat at day games, and pace yourself — a multi-week trip is a marathon. Comfy shoes, sun protection and a sensible attitude to long travel days will do more for your enjoyment than you'd think.

Leave room for the rest

One last thing I always tell people: don't pack every hour with football. Most of these cities are genuine destinations, and the fan zones, food and culture between matches are half the memory you'll take home. Build in time to actually be there. The ninety minutes is why you came — but it's not the whole trip.