The Complete Guide to the 2026 FIFA World Cup: The USA, Canada and Mexico, the new 48-team format, and a Hong Konger's guide to watching the matches.
The quadrennial football frenzy is here again! The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to be the biggest ever – a groundbreaking joint venture hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, running from 11 June to 19 July across 16 top-tier cities!
The most jaw-dropping aspect of this edition is that the number of participating teams will expand from 32 to 48, with the total matches soaring to an unprecedented 104! With the new format and cross-border fixtures, how should Hong Kong fans plan their trip to the live matches? This article provides the ultimate 2026 World Cup cheat sheet, breaking down the new format, the list of stadiums, and the most practical ticket-buying and anti-scam tips to help you make it to North America to watch the matches!
2026 World Cup: Key Facts
| Project | Information |
|---|---|
| Event name | 2026 FIFA World Cup |
| Host country | 🇺🇸 United States + 🇨🇦 Canada + 🇲🇽 Mexico |
| Host city | 16 (11 US + 2 Canada + 3 Mexico) |
| tournament period | 11 June 2026 → 19 July 2026 (39 days) |
| Participating countries | 48 countries (the highest number to date) |
| Total number of matches | 104 matches (64 in the previous edition) |
| Opening performance | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| Final venue | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey |
| Time difference from Hong Kong | Eastern Time +12 / Pacific Time +15 / Mexico City +14 |
48-Team World Cup Format: A Complete Breakdown
The 32-team World Cup we're all familiar with is now history; from 2026, it will expand to a full 48 teams! With more matches, a longer tournament, and even the qualification rules have changed. Let's break down this brand-new format for you:
Comparison of changes to the competition format
| Projects | Qatar 2022 | 2026 North America |
|---|---|---|
| Participating countries | 32 | 48 |
| Grouping | 8 groups × 4 teams | 12 groups × 4 teams |
| Number of group stage matches | 48 | 72 |
| Promotion level | 16 | 32 (the top two + the eight best third-placed finishers) |
| Knockout stage | R16 → 8 → 4 → 決 | R32 → R16 → 8 → 4 → 決 |
| Total number of matches | 64 | 104 |
| tournament period | 28 days | 39 days |
The impact on Hong Kong football fans watching the match.
Asian places increase dramatically, more teams get through
The number of qualification places for the Asian zone has increased dramatically from the previous 4.5 to 8.5! This means that, in addition to the usual suspects like Japan, South Korea and Australia, more new Asian faces will be making it to the finals. Fans will naturally have more choices when it comes to supporting Asian teams.
Extremely tight schedule means non-stop football
The total number of matches has surged to 104, with several games kicking off back-to-back each day during the group stage. Coupled with the North American time difference (many matches will be played in the early hours of Hong Kong time), you'll need to mark your calendars and get ready for a football frenzy!
The knockout stages kick off early, so you can get to the heart of the action sooner.
With an extra round of 32 teams this time, the do-or-die matches will officially begin at the end of June! You don't have to wait until July for the excitement – it's all here sooner.
16 Host Cities + Full List of Venues
11 US Cities
| City | Venue | Capacity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 | Final stage |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 70,000 | NFL stadium |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000 | |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 | |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | 65,000 | |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | 72,000 | |
| Kansas City | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | 76,000 | |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | 65,000 | |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 67,000 | |
| San Francisco | Levi's Stadium | 68,500 | |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | 68,000 |
2 cities in Canada
| City | Venue | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | BMO Field | 30,000 (45,000 following expansion) |
| Vancouver | BC Place | 54,500 |
3 cities in Mexico
| City | Venue | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | 87,000 | Opening performance |
| Guadalajara | Estadio Akron | 49,000 | |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 |
Tournament Timeline (Hong Kong Time)
The USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup spans multiple North American time zones, and the biggest impact for fans in Hong Kong will undoubtedly be the jet lag! Most matches will take place in the early hours to the morning in Hong Kong (roughly 4 a.m. to 12 p.m.). In other words, this time you won't have to stay up late; instead, you'll need to be ready to get up, have breakfast and watch the matches, or sneak a peek at the scores before you head to work!
Here is the schedule in Hong Kong Time (HKT), compiled for you based on the latest official announcements (as of 26 May 2026):
| staircase | Date | Hong Kong time |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Match (Mexico City) | 2026-06-11 | To be completed |
| Group stage | 06-11 → 06-27 | Several daily |
| R32 (first time) | 06-28 → 07-01 | |
| R16 | 07-02 → 07-05 | |
| Quarter-finals | 07-09 → 07-12 | |
| The Top 4 | 07-14 → 07-15 | |
| Third-place play-off | 07-18 | |
| Final (New Jersey) | 2026-07-19 | Early morning (HK time) |
How to buy tickets ── The 3 main channels + Resale
FIFA Official Draw (Phases 1 & 2 have now closed)
FIFA World Cup ticketing has always been conducted in phases. If you haven't been keeping up with the news, you should know that Phase 1 and Phase 2 have now closed!
- Phase 1 (Random selection draw): The main lottery, open in October 2024, was purely based on luck.
- Phase 2 (First-come, first-served): The first-come, first-served ticket sale, open in March 2025.
- Phase 3 (Last-minute sale): Officially launched from April 2026!
We're now in the final push of Phase 3, and fans can register an account on the official FIFA website at any time to see if there are any remaining tickets or any that others have released. However, at this stage tickets are usually hard to come by, so you need to keep the site under constant watch and be quick.
Hospitality Package (Travel Agency)
If your budget allows, the most reliable option is to buy a Hospitality Package! These packages cost anywhere from $1,500 to $10,000 US dollars (approximately $11,700 to $78,000 Hong Kong dollars) per person.
- What's included? Not only does it include a premium seat with an excellent view, but also VIP access via a dedicated entrance (no queuing), unlimited food and drinks inside the venue, and even a chauffeur-driven transfer service.
- Who is it for? It's perfect for fans with a high budget who want reliability and to treat it like a luxury holiday.
Secondary Ticketing Platform (including MoreTickets)
Missed the official ballot and find the over-HK$10,000 VIP packages a bit steep? Then your best bet is a large, accredited secondary ticketing platform. Click on the “2026 USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup” to view more tickets.
In the run-up to the World Cup, there are countless dubious online groups scalping tickets, making it all too easy to buy counterfeit tickets and get ripped off. If you're hunting for tickets on the secondary market, we strongly recommend using a certified, professional platform like MoreTickets. All sellers must undergo identity and ticket-source verification, and there's a money-back guarantee. This ensures your tickets are 100% valid for entry, and if anything goes wrong, the platform will step in to help you get your money back. It's a safe and hassle-free way to buy!
Ticket price range (guide prices)
| Session | Standard Class (USD) | Mid-range seats (USD) | VIP/Hospitality (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group stage | $60–250 | $300–500 | $1,500+ |
| R32 | $100–400 | $500–800 | $2,000+ |
| R16 | $200–600 | $800–1,200 | $3,000+ |
| Quarter-finals | $300–800 | $1,200–2,000 | $4,500+ |
| The Top 4 | $500–1,500 | $2,500–4,000 | $7,000+ |
| Final | $1,000–3,500 | $5,000–10,000 | $15,000+ |
(The table above shows FIFA’s official reference prices)
Hong Kong Fan Travel Guide
Visas
- USA: If you hold a BNO passport, you can apply for an ESTA online (for visa-free entry for up to 90 days); however, if you only have a Hong Kong SAR passport, you'll need to apply for a US B1/B2 visa, which involves a long wait.
- Canada: Holders of a Hong Kong SAR or BNO passport can easily enter the country by applying for an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation) online.
- Mexico: Holders of a Hong Kong SAR passport are eligible for visa-free entry for up to 180 days, so you can just book your flight and go!
Flights
The USA, Canada and Mexico are vast, and flight times to different cities vary significantly:
- West Coast cities like Los Angeles (LA): a direct flight takes about 13 hours.
- East Coast cities like New York (NY): a direct flight takes about 16 hours.
- Mexico City: You'll usually need to make a connection, with a total journey time of over 17 hours.
Top tip: During major tournaments, flight prices can easily triple or even quadruple! It's strongly recommended that fans book their tickets at least 6 months in advance. If you haven't bought your tickets yet, you really need to grit your teeth and snap up a last-minute connecting flight straight away!
Time Difference + Match Schedule (HKT)
Can't make it to the stadium? Staying in Hong Kong and watching the live stream is just as exciting! This season's North American time difference is actually quite favourable for Hong Kong fans. For the most part, you won't have to stay up all night; you can watch the matches over breakfast or lunch:
Eastern Time Zone (e.g. New York, Miami): Games are mainly at 11:00 or 1:00 am HKT, perfect for watching before work.
US West (e.g. Los Angeles, Seattle): mainly kicks off at 11:00 am or 1:00 pm HKT, a true ‘day game’ that's perfect for watching over lunch.
Mexico: mainly kicks off at 9:00 am or 3:00 am HKT, with only the 3 am kick-off requiring a bit of a late night.
Watching the live coverage in Hong Kong
It is expected that the main broadcast rights for this World Cup will once again be secured by a local pay-TV provider (such as Now TV). In addition, free-to-air channels (such as ViuTV) will, as is customary, broadcast key matches free of charge, including the opening match, the semi-finals and the final. Major shopping centres and pubs will also be hosting big viewing parties, so remember to book a table with your mates in advance and enjoy this super football month of 104 matches together!
Which country has a chance of winning it all?
With kick-off just around the corner, the world's top teams are all set! In the new 48-team format, there are more opportunities for an upset, but a few traditional powerhouses remain the favourites in the eyes of bookmakers and fans. Let's take a look at the 6 biggest contenders for this World Cup:
Argentina (Defending Champions + Messi's Final Dance?)
Carrying the mantle of the reigning champions, Argentina's overall cohesion and resilience remain world-class. Although Messi is in the twilight of his career, this tournament is widely seen as his true “last dance” at the World Cup, and the entire squad will undoubtedly give their all to provide the King of Football with a fitting send-off.
France (Mbappé in his prime)
The French squad boasts incredible depth, with two or three world-class players for almost every position. What's most frightening is that Mbappé is currently at the peak of his technical ability, physicality, and mental fortitude. His ability to make a breakthrough alone is enough to tear down any opposition's defence.
Brazil (Endrick leads the new generation)
The Samba Boys are never short of talent! With a new generation of prodigies like Endrick coming through, Brazil's firepower remains undiminished as the old guard passes the torch. After the disappointment of the last tournament, this young squad is determined to reclaim the long-lost World Cup with their trademark attacking football.
Spain (Riding the wave of their 2024 Euros triumph)
The Bullfighting Spaniards successfully lifted the 2024 European Championship, proving that their academy prodigals (such as Lamine Yamal) have fully matured and are ready to take over. Riding the wave of their European dominance and with a masterful passing game, they have every chance of carrying their winning momentum into the World Cup.
England (Bellingham leads the line + tournament pedigree)
Led by Jude Bellingham, the Three Lions boast one of the most star-studded squads in the world. While they've been unlucky in recent major tournaments (including Euro 2024), the team's resilience in big matches has clearly improved in recent years. With this World Cup being hosted in North America, it could truly be time to shout, ‘It's coming home’!
USA (Massive home advantage)
Never underestimate the “football desert”! As the strongest of the three host nations, the USA has the absolute advantage of home ground, no jet lag to contend with, and a deafening roar from their fans. Add to that the fact that many of their key players are already established in Europe's top leagues, and they have every chance of becoming the tournament's biggest dark horse, making a run to the latter stages!
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 World Cup start? When is the final?
This edition of the USA-Canada-Mexico World Cup will officially kick off on 11 June 2026 North American time (12 June Hong Kong time), with the opening match held at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. As for the much-anticipated final, it will take place on 19 July (North American time) / 20 July (morning, Hong Kong time) at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey.
Can fans in Hong Kong buy World Cup tickets? Where can they be purchased?
The first two official FIFA draw rounds have already concluded, and we are now in the Phase 3 “Last-minute” stage, where you have to keep refreshing the official FIFA website for any last-minute cancellations. If you don't want to rely on luck or have a small budget, the most reliable option is to purchase an official Hospitality package or to buy tickets through a large, accredited, and refund-guaranteed secondary platform (e.g., MoreTickets).
What visa do you need to watch the matches in the USA / Canada / Mexico?
To go to Mexico, holders of a Hong Kong SAR passport can enter visa-free for 180 days; for Canada, you just need to apply online for an eTA with a Hong Kong SAR passport or a British National (Overseas) passport; the USA has the strictest requirements – BNO holders can apply online for an ESTA waiver, but if you only have a Hong Kong SAR passport, you must attend a personal interview to apply for a physical B1/B2 visa.
How much do World Cup tickets usually cost? Are the final's really expensive?
The prices are absolute “shrimp prices”! For the group stage, the cheapest tickets in the top tier start from a few hundred Hong Kong dollars, but they skyrocket exponentially once the knockout stages begin. As for the much-anticipated final? The official tickets were snapped up in an instant, and now buying tickets on the secondary market or getting a VIP package can easily set you back between HK$10,000 and HK$50,000, or even more!
