I've Attended Two FIFA World Cups. Here's How to Have the Best Experience.

How to get your game on

If you’re new to the game, nothing kicks off your World Cup adventure quite like choosing a team to rally behind. In Moscow, we rooted for underdog Croatia against France. In Qatar, we were cheering for Lionel Messi and the Argentinian team to defeat France. In the tense shootout round, we still talk about the well-dressed French soccer fan in front of us, who knelt down, clasped his hands and prayed, unsuccessfully, for his team to deliver a win.

In 2026, you’ll get to cheer for some exciting underdogs making their World Cup debut—like Cape Verde, a tiny group of Atlantic islands with a population of just 525,000, along with Jordan and Uzbekistan. Or maybe you’ll feel the pull of your roots and back a team connected to your heritage, whether that’s the US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Portugal, England, or Ireland. And of course, there are the big-name contenders to keep an eye on, like Spain with rising star Lamine Yamal, or France, powered by the electric duo of Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

Whatever your pick, having a team to rally behind will make your World Cup experience truly unforgettable. If you’re bringing along a young fan, this could be a perfect chance to dive into “team research” together—learning about players, coaches, and the stories behind each nation—before picking the team to support.

For those fans with tickets to one of the 72 matches in the group round from June 11 to 27, the teams will be selected by the end of 2025. This gives you plenty of time to explore the rosters and stories behind each nation’s squad. Modern national teams are a mosaic of players from professional leagues all over the world. As long as the players have a family connection to a country, their country of birth can be ignored. Cape Verde players include those born in the US, Portugal, the Netherlands, and France, for example.

While soccer’s basic rules and play are straightforward, it’s helpful to get a primer when it comes to “penalty time” (also called stoppage or added time) and “shootouts.” Penalty time is that mysterious extra few minutes the referee tacks on at the end of each half to make up for time lost to substitutions, injuries, or celebrations. No one knows exactly how long it will be until the referee signals, so it keeps everyone on edge. Then there are shootouts, the nail-biting tiebreakers after knockout games (not in the group round) that make sure there are no ties and that a winner goes to the next round.

Access your tickets before game day

Whether you are computer literate or not, all roads to a World Cup start at home with your computer and/or phone. FIFA has iron-clad domain over the games regardless of stadium deals with vendors, and the organization requires all ticket holders to download the FIFA World Cup 26 App (separate from the FIFA Official App) and register (the app is available on the Apple Store and Google Play store). Digital tickets are only available through the app and are the only way to get into the stadiums. FIFA is very experienced with digital ticketing, so there will be opportunities to manage your tickets, including sending them to guests and changing guest names.

Beyond the ticket info, the official app also offers live scores, team stats, match highlights, and personalized notifications to enhance your World Cup experience.

What to bring with you on game day

Do not leave your home without a portable charger (power bank) – it is not an accessory; it’s a survival tool. Be judicious with the use of your phone during the day. Do you really need to document every moment before arriving at the stadium and then run down your battery before the shootout?

The second essential item is a clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag, no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12.” Everything you want to take into the stadium must go in that clear bag or a pocket. Small clutch purses or wallets the “size of a hand” are allowed. But no backpacks, camera bags, coolers, food, or drinks are permitted to be carried into the stadium. Don’t wait until you get close to the stadium for this essential purchase. Clear bags that meet FIFA requirements will likely be sold out at the Walgreens or CVS near the stadium.

The third item you may find helpful is a poncho or rain jacket unless you’re bound for enclosed or typically dry venues such as Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, or Los Angeles. Games will be played in the rain or just momentarily stopped for thunderstorms. Ponchos are not likely to be sold at stores inside the stadium.

Last, FIFA is a stickler about clothing and apparel and may restrict those who wear clothing that is ”promotional or commercial.” This also means anything with an overt political message. That said, feel free to wear your team colors or favorite jersey of a player. Don’t expect, however, to find a FIFA soccer store inside the stadium with a large selection of clothing. What you see on FIFA’s Store on the app or the FIFA website is likely all you will find to buy at the stores and kiosks inside the stadium. At the Finals in Qatar, there were no French national or Argentinian national jerseys for sale and certainly no player jerseys, including none for Messi or Mbappe. As they were in Moscow and Qatar, the usual clothing stores in stadiums will likely be closed because FIFA contracts the entire stadium, including concessions.

Mingling with soccer fans before the game

Part of the thrill and excitement of the World Cup comes from joining passionate fans who have traveled from around the globe to support their teams. How does this happen, especially for knockout matches where the teams aren’t confirmed until just a week before? FIFA allocates a portion of tickets specifically for supporters from the countries competing in each match to ensure their presence in the stadium.

In host cities featuring matches that include first-time World Cup entrants — Cape Verde, Jordan, and Uzbekistan – expect to see lots of fans from those nations. They are likely to gather in popular spots — such as Times Square in New York City — or local sports bars showing World Cup games, filling the streets with singing and cheering and spontaneous parades.

The ultimate way to immerse yourself in the soccer atmosphere is at a FIFA Fan Fest, a large-scale public viewing event featuring giant screens broadcasting matches alongside live entertainment and cultural activities. Cities such as the San Francisco Bay Area and New York City plan multiple Fan Fest locations, providing fans with plenty of options to join the World Cup excitement. Be advised, however, that Fan Fest locations are often miles and miles away from the World Cup game venues such as Boston, where Fan Fest is scheduled for downtown Boston and the stadium is about 30 miles away.

Kids and non-soccer fans alike will find themselves swept up in the fun and energy of the Fan Fest. Despite the fierce rivalries you often see on the field, there’s an unmistakably friendly spirit among fans. At Moscow’s Red Square during the 2018 World Cup Final, we were surrounded by a buzzing mix of Croatian and French supporters—cheering passionately side by side, but without a hint of animosity or conflict.

How to get to the game

The good news is that all the North American stadiums hosting World Cup games are home fields for major American football teams or, in the case of Canada and Mexico, professional soccer matches. Venue operators and transit planners have extensive experience managing large crowds and know how to efficiently get people to and from the stadiums.

However, there is one major wrinkle for the World Cup. Most major sponsors—and many international fans arriving on package tours—will come to the stadium by bus. Especially in the U.S., this could mean a tenfold increase in bus traffic compared to a typical NFL game. For the first few games, venue parking areas may be congested. At two Super Bowls I attended, we boarded our bus hours before kickoff, yet the bus parking area was so backed up that we had to get off the bus a quarter mile from the stadium and walk the rest of the way.

Bus parking may also require adjustments to the usual stadium parking zones, so be sure to check in advance about where you can and cannot park if you’re driving. FIFA cautions that stadium parking may be reduced by 30 to 40 percent for additional safety measures.

The most reliable way to get to a stadium is public transit—especially subways, metros, or light rail with dedicated rights of way. If you’re coming by car from outside the city, drive to a park-and-ride lot and head to the stadium from there. Fortunately, most host cities offer these options. For fans attending games in Dallas, Kansas City, or Los Angeles, public transit via buses or shuttles from light rail/metros is the only practical alternative to driving.

Prepare for a long game day

A World Cup game feels like a cross between an NFL championship and a global street festival. Plan it as a full-day affair. You may be tempted to try to cram in a visit to Fan Fest or a popular tourist attraction, but I suggest doing what your mother would advise – eat a good meal before you leave for the stadium. Why? Even if you’ve been to the venue multiple times, some of the alcohol and food options may be limited by FIFA or, more likely, food areas that are typically open to the public have been commandeered by major corporate sponsors.

North American venues are well-versed in handling security. The FIFA restriction to only carrying small clear bags makes their job even easier – no searching backpacks or large purses. You’ll get through security with your clear bag meeting FIFA requirements, wallet or clutch purse, and a digital ticket on your phone.

Smoking, vaping, and the use of any tobacco products or electronic smoking devices are not permitted inside the stadium, including both the inner and outer perimeters. This includes bringing in lighters and matches.

Arrive at least an hour before kickoff — pregame ceremonies and fan interactions start early. Soccer games are so much more intense and go by quicker than American football games so be prepared, once the game starts, to stay in your seat. Without details being flushed out, FIFA has agreed to longer half-time shows but probably not as elaborate at Super Bowl half-time shows.

If you’re driving or arriving on a chartered bus, stash water and snacks for the ride back — concessions empty quickly after a match.

What to Skip

• Avoid the first game at any venue; those tend to have the longest lines and most logistical hiccups.
• Book your car a few weeks or a month out (or simply don’t drive). Car-centric cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Kansas City, and Dallas will not have rental cars at the last minute.
• Snagging last-minute tickets outside the stadium — they’re rarely legitimate and security will be scouring the area for scalpers.
• Walking into your favorite restaurant at the last minute. The most famous and popular restaurants will all be booked in advance.

The World Cup isn’t just a series of games. It’s a global celebration arriving in America’s backyard. Go with curiosity, cheer with the crowd, follow the rules and you’ll come home with a story far richer than the final score.