You are an Indian football fan. You don’t want to watch the 2026 World Cup on TV. You want to be inside the stadium, feel the noise, and cheer live. This guide takes you from the first dream to sitting in your seat at the match.
We will cover everything: tickets, visa, flights, hotel, local travel, money, and match day.
How to Plan Your Trip
Step 1: Make Your Basic Plan
- Choose the country and city (USA, Canada, or Mexico).
- Decide the round: group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, or final.
- Check the full match schedule on FIFA.com.
- Make a rough budget in rupees (tickets + visa + flight + hotel + food + local travel).
- Decide if you are going alone, with friends, or with family. This changes hotel and flight bookings.
Step 2: Buy Match Tickets (Most Important Step)
Without a ticket, nothing else matters.
FIFA sells tickets only on FIFA.com/tickets in phases.
Current phase: Random Selection Draw opens December 11, 2025 (after the Final Draw on Dec 5), and runs to January 13, 2026.
How to apply:
- Create an account on FIFA.com/tickets
- Choose the matches or teams you want
- Apply (it is free to apply)
- If you win the lottery, you get an email to pay and buy.
Group stage tickets start from around ₹5,000 ($60). Final tickets can go above ₹5.8 lakh.
Apply for many matches to increase your chance.
We have created a detailed guide on how to buy tickets. Click here to read it.
Step 3: Apply for Visa
- An Indian passport needs a visa for the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
- USA: Tourist visa (B2), fee ₹15,500, apply 6 to 12 months early.
- Canada: Visitor visa, fee around ₹6,200.
- Mexico: Visitor visa, fee around ₹4,900.
- Documents needed: passport, photo, bank statement, job proof, ticket or ticket application proof, flight and hotel booking.
- For a smoother visa process, especially when planning big trips like the World Cup, try Atlys to handle your application with less hassle. Click here to get started.
Step 4: Book Flights
- Best cities to fly from India: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru.
- Round-trip prices (early booking):
- Delhi to USA: ₹60,000 to ₹1,20,000
- Delhi to Mexico: ₹90,000 to ₹1,50,000
- Book 6 to 9 months in advance on MakeMyTrip or directly on airline websites.
Step 5: Travel Inside the Host Country
- Airport to city: Use metro, train, or Uber (cheaper than taxi).
- If you visit more than one city, Book domestic flights (USA) or trains (Canada) early.
- Good news: On match day, your FIFA ticket gives free public transport in most cities.
Step 6: Book a Hotel or Stay
- Book 6 to 12 months early because prices will double near the World Cup.
- Options:
- Hostel: ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per night
- Budget hotel: ₹8,000 to ₹15,000 per night
- Good hotel: ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 per night
- Use Booking.com or Airbnb.
- Stay near the stadium or near metro station.
Step 7: Money, SIM, and Insurance
- Tell your bank you are traveling abroad (enable international use on debit/credit card).
- Carry some US dollars or local currency in cash.
- Buy travel insurance (₹1,500 to ₹3,000 for 10 days). Covers medical emergency and trip cancellation.
- For internet: Buy eSIM from Airalo or Holafly before you leave India (₹500 to ₹1,500 for 7 to 10 days).
Quick Summary (8 Simple Steps)
- Choose city and match
- Apply for tickets on FIFA.com
- Apply for visa
- Book flights
- Book hotel
- Buy travel insurance and eSIM
- Pack and fly
- Reach stadium and enjoy!
How Much Will It Cost? (7-Day Solo Trip Example)
| Item | Budget Option | Comfort Option |
| Match ticket | ₹5,000 | ₹40,000 |
| Visa + service fees | ₹18,000 | ₹25,000 |
| Flights (round trip) | ₹65,000 | ₹1,10,000 |
| Hotel (7 nights) | ₹30,000 | ₹1,40,000 |
| Food + local travel | ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Insurance + eSIM | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Total | ₹1,48,000 | ₹3,75,000 |
FAQ
Q: When is the next ticket sale?
Random Selection Draw opens December 11, 2025, until January 13, 2026.
Q: Can I go without a ticket first and buy later?
Very risky. Tickets sell out fast. Better to have ticket first.
Q: Is travel insurance compulsory?
Not compulsory, but very important. Medical bills in USA can be ₹5 lakh+.
Q: Will my Indian SIM work there?
Yes, but very costly. Buy eSIM or local SIM after landing.
Q: Can I change my match if my team loses?
FIFA allows official resale later. You can sell and buy another match.
Start planning today. The World Cup is once in four years. Make 2026 your year!
