FIFA World Cup 26 for football fans in Ireland: tickets, travel tips and tricks

For football fans, the FIFA World Cup 26™ is an event eagerly anticipated every edition. The FIFA World Cup™ will break several records at once: 48 teams instead of the usual 32, 104 matches across 16 host cities in three different countries. Never before has a FIFA World Cup been so large, so geographically spread out, and so demanding to plan for Irish supporters.

If you want to experience this tournament live, you’ll need more than just a ticket. This guide gives you everything you need to know: from the FIFA World Cup 26™ fixtures to visas and stadiums, as well as practical tips on managing your budget in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Looking to save on your FIFA World Cup™ trip? The Wise card is a game-changer. It allows you to hold and spend in over 40 currencies, including USD, MXN, and CAD. You’ll avoid hidden fees and high markups by always converting your money at the mid-market rate.

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When is the FIFA World Cup 26™? Dates, schedule & key information

The FIFA World Cup 26™ kicks off on 11 June 2026, marking the first time the tournament returns to North America since 1994. Over six weeks of football will follow, culminating in the final on 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New York.

FIFA World Cup™ fixtures

With 104 matches, the schedule will be the most extensive in tournament history, largely due to the new expanded format. More games mean more drama – but also more coordination if you’re planning to attend multiple matches. Here’s the official FIFA World Cup 26™ schedule from FIFA.¹

An important factor for Irish travellers: the time difference between Ireland and the United States varies between 5 and 8 hours depending on the host city.

Many group stage matches will therefore take place late in the evening or during the night Irish time.

Is Ireland in the FIFA World Cup 2026™?

The Republic of Ireland has not qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Their campaign ended on March 26, 2026, when, despite taking an early 2–0 lead in Prague, the Boys in Green were held to a 2–2 draw through extra time and ultimately lost 4–3 on penalties.⁸

What are the FIFA World Cup 26™ host countries and cities?

The FIFA World Cup™ expands to 48 participating nations, 16 more than in previous editions. 42 teams have already qualified, with the final six places to be decided in March 2026.

The tournament will feature 12 groups of four teams; the top two from each group and the eight best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16.

For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup™ will be hosted across three countries simultaneously: the United States, Mexico and Canada. It’s historic but also a logistical challenge for fans hoping to attend matches in multiple locations.

FIFA World Cup 26™ stadiums: 16 venues across three countries

Sixteen stadiums will host matches, a number not seen since the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Here is an overview of the FIFA World Cup™ in the USA, Canada and Mexico²:

United States

• Dallas – AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas – 94,000 seats
• New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford – 82,500 seats (Final)
• Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium – 75,000 seats
• Kansas City – Arrowhead Stadium – 73,000 seats
• Houston – NRG Stadium – 72,000 seats
• San Francisco Bay Area – Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara – 71,000 seats
• Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood – 70,000 seats
• Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field – 69,000 seats
• Seattle – Lumen Field – 69,000 seats
• Boston – Gillette Stadium – 65,000 seats
• Miami – Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens – 65,000 seats

Canada

• Vancouver – BC Place – 54,000 seats
• Toronto – BMO Field – 45,000 seats

Mexico

• Mexico City – Estadio Banorte – 83,000 seats
• Monterrey – Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe – 53,500 seats
• Guadalajara – Estadio Akron, Zapopan – 48,000 seats

Travel tip: World Cup 2026 host cities are often thousands of kilometres apart. If you plan to attend matches in different cities, book the flights as early as possible – prices will rise significantly during the tournament.

FIFA World Cup™ tickets: Sales phases, prices & tips

Tickets for the FIFA World Cup™ are available exclusively via the official FIFA website.³ Purchasing FIFA World Cup 26™ tickets from unofficial resellers carries the risk of fraud or inflated prices. FIFA provides an official resale platform for secure transactions. There are no on-site ticket sales at stadiums.

The first three sales phases have already concluded. The next opportunity will be in early April 2026 during the “last minute” sales phase, operating on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure to register on the FIFA website in advance so you’re ready when sales reopen.

💡 Payment tip: Tickets are charged in USD, so keep an eye on your card's transaction fees. Some cards can have extra costs when converting between Euros and US Dollars. The Wise card helps you avoid these expenses by using the mid-market exchange rate with no hidden or extra fees.

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How much do FIFA World Cup 26™ tickets cost? 💰

Exact FIFA World Cup 26™ ticket prices are currently difficult to estimate, as sales are paused until April. What is certain is that prices increase as the tournament progresses.

For the final, four-figure prices have already been mentioned. Members of official fan clubs had the chance to enter a ballot for tickets priced at 60 USD – those allocations are now closed.⁴

What makes the FIFA World Cup 26™ unique? 3 countries, 16 cities, 3 currencies

Sixteen stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the United States: the World Cup 2026 will be the biggest tournament in history.

If you want to fully immerse yourself in the event, you’ll travel across an entire continent, cross international borders and manage three different currencies. It’s an exciting experience, but it also requires preparation, especially when it comes to visas, border crossings, flights and payments abroad. If you’re watching from Europe, don’t forget about the time difference either.

Visa and entry requirements for the USA, Canada and Mexico

Flight booked, hotel secured, ticket purchased. Now it’s time to organise your travel documentation. Fortunately, entry procedures for European travellers are relatively straightforward. However, each of the three countries has its own requirements.

United States: ESTA

Most European citizens, including Irish passport holders, do not require a traditional visa to enter the United States, but instead need travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program.⁵

• Entry: ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
• Cost: 40.27 USD
• Duration of stay: up to 90 days
• Application: online, must be approved before departure

Important: If you have visited certain countries (e.g. Iran, North Korea or Cuba), you may not be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and may need to apply for a standard visa.

Canada: eTA

Canada operates a similar system for many European travellers. Check the official website to confirm whether your nationality qualifies for visa-free travel.⁶ If eligible, you must apply for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization), which is separate from the US ESTA.

Whether you need an eTA also depends on how you enter Canada (by air, land or sea). If entering by land from the United States, a valid passport may be sufficient.

• Entry: eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization)
• Cost: 7 CAD
• Duration of stay: up to 180 days
• Application: online, prior to travel

Mexico: Visa-free entry

Mexico is relatively straightforward. As an EU citizen, you can enter visa-free for tourist stays of up to 180 days with a valid passport. A tourist card (FMM) is issued upon arrival.⁷

Border crossings between the three countries

If you plan to attend World Cup 2026 matches in multiple countries, make sure you understand the entry rules carefully. If you land in the United States, travel to Mexico or Canada and then re-enter the US, time spent outside the US may still count toward your 90-day ESTA limit.

For land border crossings, allow additional time compared to flights and check local travel conditions in advance.

How to pay in USD, CAD and MXN and avoiding unnecessary fees

Three countries, three currencies, and every card payment abroad can come with hidden charges. During the FIFA World Cup 26™ spending may increase, and so can foreign exchange fees.

In the United States and Canada, card payments are widely accepted. A debit or credit card with favourable foreign exchange conditions is ideal.

In Mexico, cards are common in major cities and tourist areas, but in markets or smaller establishments you may need cash in Mexican pesos (MXN).

How to manage three currencies with a Wise account and card

A multi-currency account can be particularly useful for an event like the FIFA World Cup 26™. With a Wise multi-currency account, you can hold USD, CAD, and MXN simultaneously, convert currencies at the mid-market exchange rate (the same one you usually find on Google), and pay directly in the local currency with your connected Wise debit card.

What Wise offers:

• Pay in 40+ currencies with a single card: Manage all 3 currencies (and many more) in one account and pay with your Wise card. Payments are free if you already have the currency available in your account.
• Mid-market exchange rate: Currency conversions with no added markups or hidden fees.
• International withdrawals: 2 ATM withdrawals up to 200 EUR (or equivalent) per month with no transaction fees*.
• Free virtual cards: Create up to 3 free digital cards directly through the Wise website or app.

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* Wise will not charge you for these withdrawals, but some additional charges may occur from independent ATM networks.

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How to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC)

When paying or withdrawing money, the ATM may offer to process the transaction in Euros instead of the local currency. This is known as Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).

While it might seem convenient, always choose to pay or withdraw in the local currency (USD, CAD, or MXN). This ensures the conversion is handled by your own bank or provider, avoiding the terminal's exchange rate, which is typically much less favorable than your card’s rate.

Practical travel tips for Irish fans

Once you arrive, you’ll want to focus entirely on the FIFA World Cup 26™. That’s why preparation in advance is essential.

eSIM & mobile connectivity

Your European SIM card may not work properly in the US, Canada or Mexico, or could incur high roaming charges. An eSIM for North America that covers all three countries is often the simplest solution. Providers such as Airalo or Holafly offer packages you can activate before departure.

Transport and apps

How do you get around locally?

• United States & Canada: Uber and Lyft are dominant ride-hailing apps; large cities also have strong public transport networks
• Mexico: Uber works reliably; avoid unofficial taxis
• Domestic flights: book early – prices will increase significantly during the World Cup
• Car rental: check the terms carefully – cross-border travel is often not permitted and a credit card is usually required

Stadium rules

Each stadium has its own regulations. Typically, only small bags are permitted and outside food and drink are not allowed. Avoid bringing political banners or materials, as this may result in denied entry.

Arrive early: security checks at World Cup matches can take time, and no one wants to miss the opening goal.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the FIFA World Cup 26™

When does the FIFA World Cup 26™ start?

The FIFA World Cup 26™ begins on 11 June 2026 and ends on 19 July 2026 with the final in New York.

Do I need cash?

In the United States and Canada, rarely. In Mexico, cash in MXN is still useful in some situations.

ESTA, eTA or visa – what do I need?

This depends on your nationality. Irish citizens can generally enter the US with an ESTA and Canada with an eTA. Mexico does not require a tourist visa for short stays.

Which currency is used where?

USD in the United States, CAD in Canada and MXN in Mexico.

Which card works best abroad?

A card without foreign exchange mark-ups that uses the mid-market exchange rate, such as the Wise card.

Do I need an eSIM for all three countries?

If travelling between the World Cup 2026 host countries, a North America eSIM is usually the most practical and cost-effective option.

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Sources:

1. World Cup 2026 schedule,
2. World Cup 2026 stadiums
3. World Cup 2026 tickets
4. New ticket price category
5. FIFA World Cup Visas
6. World Cup entry requirements
7. Mexico entry requirements
8. Ireland lost to Czechia

Sources last checked on 27 March, 2026

Cover photo: Frantzou Fleurine on Unsplash