Japan have been a regular participant in the FIFA World Cup ever since they appeared in the 1998 World Cup for the first time. This would mark their 7th appearance in the global tournament. Japan have earned their reputation of being a giant killer as they knocked out Germany in the Group Stages & shocked the whole world as they made it out of a tough group in the 2022 World Cup. Although they haven’t gone beyond the round of 16, they came very close in the 2018 edition, where they gave us the game of the tournament. A memorable 2-3 encounter against Belgium.
For an Indian fan, if you love Japanese football or their culture, then this is a must-visit tournament for you & this guide would take you from your living room in India to the stands in North America-covering tickets, Visa, flights, and the specific logistics required to watch the Samurai Blue.
Step 1: Fix Your Basic Plan
Before you book a single flight, you need a strategy. The 2026 World Cup is massive, spread across three countries, and following a specific team requires careful targeting.
- Target the Right City: As a Pot 2 (Seeded) team, Japan would have a major big team from Pot 1, along with perhaps easier opponents from Pot 3 & pot 4 in their group. FIFA’s new “cluster” system means their group stage matches will likely be concentrated in a specific region (e.g., West Coast USA, East Coast, or Mexico) to reduce travel. Wait for the December 5 draw to confirm their group base before booking accommodation.
- Choose Your Round:
- Group Stage: The safest bet. You are guaranteed to see them play three times.
- Knockouts: High risk, high reward. Japan’s movement ahead in their is dependent on their opponents, & the knockout tickets are significantly more expensive and harder to secure.
Set a Rough Budget. Following a top-tier team is expensive due to high ticket demand. Accommodation costs in the US are brutal. Travelling with 2-3 friends can slash your lodging expenses by 50% compared to going solo.
Step 2: Tickets
The most important step of your entire trip is booking Match Tickets. Without it, it would be harder to get a VISA, and other planning processes would come to a halt.
- Getting familiar with the system: The ticket system is purely based on First Come, First Served and Last-minute sales. Earlier, the system was rolled out in phases at a random time decided by FIFA. But this time, FIFA has implemented dynamic pricing. This means prices of tickets will depend on flight availability and demand
- “Follow Your Team” feature: This feature on the FIFA official website allows you to track dates of the matches of your favourite team, like Belgium. This will help you to keep yourself updated with ticket live sale dates too.
- Ticket Sales Date: The 3rd phase of sales will go live onDecember 11th, 2025.
Category 1 (best seats, lower tier): $410–$620 for group matches
Category 2 (mid-tier): $260–$465
Category 3 (upper tier): $120–$215
Category 4 (most affordable): $60–$140 for group stage matches
- Ticket Prices: And the big question? What are the prices, and which category gives you the best viewing experience, and is also budget-friendly?
- How to book tickets? Create a free FIFA account oncom/tickets. For detailed step-by-step instructions on navigating FIFA’s ticketing portal and securing team-specific tickets, check out our comprehensive article on How to Get FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets: A Complete Guide.
Step 3: Visa
Since there are three host countries, you must navigate three different immigration systems. Start with the US Visa, as it simplifies entry to Mexico.
- United States (The Hub)
- Visa and Fee: B-1/B-2 (Tourist). Currently, the processing fee is $185 or roughly ₹15,500–₹16,000. From 2026 onwards, a new non‑refundable Visa Integrity Fee of $250 will apply for Indian applicants, taking the total to around $435, i.e. roughly ₹36,500–₹37000for a 10‑year multiple‑entry B1/B2 visa.
- Wait Time: FIFA has introduced the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (FIFA PASS), which gives official World Cup 2026 ticket holders access to prioritised US visa interview appointments for non‑immigrant visas like B1/B2. So expect the processing period to be around 5-7 months. So hurry up with the US Visa.
- You can get your US Visa application done hassle-free with Atlys by clicking here.
- Canada (The Separate Process)
- Visa and Fee: Visitor Visa (Temporary Resident Visa – TRV). The standard visitor visa fee is CAD 100 per person, which is approximately ₹6,000–₹6,200, plus a biometrics fee of CAD 85 (about ₹5,100–₹5,300), taking the total to around CAD 185 or roughly ₹11,000–₹11,500 per traveller.
- No “Fan ID” Waiver: Canada has confirmed standard immigration rules apply, no visa waivers for ticket holders.
- Processing Time: Currently takes ~50-60 daysfor Indians. Apply for this after your US visa is secured, or concurrently if you have the funds.
Key Documents Required during processing:
- Valid Passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
- Recent 2×2 inch passport-sized Photos
- Completed Visa Application Form (DS-160for USA and IMM 5257 for Canada)
- Proof of Funds (Bank Statements, ITR)
- Travel Itinerary & Booking Details
- Ties to India (Property / Family Documents)
Step 4: Travel
Major departure points include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. Flights from Delhi/Mumbai to New York (JFK) or San Francisco (SFO) are typically cheaper (₹75k–₹85K return) than flying directly to Canada or Mexico.
Current flight costs (one-way from India to the US):
- Mumbai/Delhi to New York: Starting ₹35,000–₹40,000
- Mumbai to San Francisco: Starting ₹34,500
- Delhi to Seattle: Starting ₹32,000
Most India-US flights involve one or two stops via Middle Eastern hubs (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) or European cities.
Booking tips: Book 4–6 months in advance for the best rates, and consider flying mid-week (Tuesday–Wednesday) for lower fares. Avoid booking non-refundable tickets until your visa is approved. Book a “Multi-City” flight (e.g., Delhi -> New York, Vancouver -> Delhi) to save time on backtracking.
Step 5: Internal Travel
Distances in North America are massive. A train from New York to Mexico City would take days.
- Between Countries: Flying Budget airlines like Southwest (US), Volaris (Mexico), and WestJet (Canada) are your best bets.
- Within Countries:
- USA: Domestic flights are best for covering large distances quickly. Budget airlines like Southwest, Spirit, and Frontier offer affordable fares. Bus services like Greyhound, Megabus, and FlixBus offer routes between major cities starting from $13–$25. An Amtrak Rail Pass for 30 days can cost around $299 during the sales period.
- Canada: Excellent public transit with affordable cost around $5 to $10 (TTC in Toronto, SkyTrain in Vancouver).
- Mexico City Metro is cheap (around $1 to $2) and efficient; Uber is safe and affordable (around $4 to $5).
Some host cities may offer free public transport on matchday for ticket holders. Verify this closer to the tournament once specific city policies are announced.
Step 6: Accommodations
Choose your base location strategically, near the stadium, city centre, or close to public transport hubs. During the World Cup, accommodation prices surge significantly, so book early.
Accommodation types:
- Hotels: Reliable with included amenities (breakfast, cleaning, concierge). Budget hotels start around ₹5,000–₹8,000/night; mid-range ₹10,000–₹15,000/night; luxury ₹20,000+/night.
- Airbnb/Vacation rentals: Better for groups and longer stays with kitchen facilities. Watch for hidden fees (cleaning, service charges).
- Hostels: Budget-friendly for solo travellers offering shared dormitory options.
How to book: Use Booking.com, Hotels.com, Airbnb, or official World Cup hotel partners like Crewfare, which holds exclusive inventory for fans. Some host cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, and Miami, have partnered with booking platforms offering official World Cup discounts.
Step 7: International Currency, Insurance, and Connectivity
- Currency: You will need three currencies: USD (USA), CAD (Canada), and MXN (Mexico). Carry a multi-currency Forex card (like Niyo or BookMyForex) to avoid high swap fees.
- Connectivity:Do not buy three separate SIMs. Buy a North America Regional eSIM (via Airalo or Nomad) that works seamlessly across the US, Canada, and Mexico for a single price.
- Travel and Health insurance: Highly recommended, given the expensive US healthcare costs. Comprehensive plans covering medical emergencies ($100,000–$500,000), trip cancellation, baggage loss, and evacuation start from ₹1,100–₹2,500for 15-day coverage. Purchase through providers like TATA AIG, HDFC ERGO, or ICICI Lombard.
Summary Checklist
- Fix your plan: Choose host city, target round, set budget
- Book tickets: Create a FIFA account, apply during ticket phases
- Apply for visa: Complete DS-160/IMM 5257, schedule interview 5-6 months early
- Book flights: 4–6 months in advance for best rates
- Plan internal travel: Research domestic flights, trains, buses
- Book accommodation: Early booking is essential for competitive rates
- Prepare finances & connectivity: Forex cards, eSIM, travel insurance
How Much Would It Cost to Watch the World Cup from India?
| Expense Category | Budget-Friendly (INR / USD) | Luxury (INR / USD) |
| Match Ticket (Group Stage) | ₹16,000 – ₹24,000 / $200 – $300 | ₹65,000 – ₹90,000 / $800 – $1,100 |
| US and Canada Visa (2026 fees) | ₹50,500 / $565 | ₹50,500 / $565 |
| Return Flights | ₹75,000 – ₹85,000 / $900 – $1,000 | ₹1,15,000 – ₹1,50,000 / $1,350 – $1,800 |
| Accommodation (7 nights) | ₹35,000 – ₹56,000 / $440 – $650 | ₹1,05,000 – ₹1,40,000 / $1,200 – $1,650 |
| Internal Travel | ₹16,000 – ₹24,000 / $200 – $300 | ₹32,000 – ₹45,000 / $400 – $550 |
| Food & Miscellaneous (7 days) | ₹20,000 – ₹28,000 / $250 – $350 | ₹42,000 – ₹56,000 / $500 – $700 |
| Travel Insurance | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 / $18 – $30 | ₹1,500 – ₹2,500 / $30 – $50 |
| Total Estimated Cost | ₹2,15,000 – ₹2,70,000 / $2,600 – $3,200 | ₹4,20,000 – ₹5,30,000 / $5,200 – $6,500 |
Note: Total Cost includes just a single match ticket price. In case of multiple matches, multiply the match ticket cost as per your booking.
FAQs
Q: Is travel insurance mandatory for US travel?
While not mandatory for visa approval, travel insurance is highly recommended due to extremely expensive healthcare costs in the US.
Q: Do I need a visa for Mexico if I have a U.S. visa?
No, Indians with a valid US visa can enter Mexico visa-free for tourism.
Q: Can I drive between the US and Canada?
Yes, but border crossings can take hours during the World Cup. Flying is recommended between match cities.
Q: When should I apply for my Canada/US Visa?
Apply at least 5-6 months before travel (around Dec’25 – Jan’26). Do not wait until the last minute, as processing times may surge. Also, the Visa fee for the USA increases from 2026, so hurry up to save the cost.
