Flights from Australia
There are no non-stop flights from Australia to most host cities; Los Angeles is the main gateway. Approximate non-stop times from Sydney: Los Angeles ~13h 50m; Dallas/Fort Worth ~15h 30m; Vancouver ~14h. New York is usually one-stop (~23–24 hours; a planned ~22h non-stop should be verified). Mexico City has no direct flights — typically ~20–21 hours via Los Angeles. Melbourne times are broadly similar. All times are approximate and schedule-dependent.
Visas & entry requirements
Entry rules differ by country and must be confirmed before travel. USA — Australians generally travel under the Visa Waiver Program with an approved ESTA (e-passport required; valid up to 2 years; fee around US$40). Canada — an eTA is needed for air travel (valid up to 5 years). Mexico — no tourist visa for stays up to 180 days, but a Tourist Card (FMM) is required. All three generally expect at least 6 months' passport validity. Verify each at the official source before booking.
Time difference
The gap is large. US/Canada West Coast (Los Angeles, Vancouver) is roughly 17 hours behind Sydney; US Central (Dallas) about 15 hours behind; US East Coast (New York/New Jersey) about 14 hours behind; Mexico City around 15 hours behind. Crossing the date line westbound, you effectively "arrive the same day" you leave. Exact offsets shift with daylight saving — check a converter for your dates.
Best time to go
The tournament runs 11 June to 19 July 2026 — winter in Australia, summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so expect heat in southern US and Mexican host cities. Arrive several days before your first match to recover from the 14–17 hour shift, and book flights, accommodation and any internal travel early given record demand.
Money & the Aussie dollar
Tickets are priced and charged in US dollars with dynamic pricing plus ~15% fees, so the AUD cost can swing with the exchange rate — budget a buffer. Use a card with low or no foreign-transaction fees (Visa was required during initial sales). A multi-country trip also means handling US dollars, Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos.
Getting around
Host cities span three countries and a continent, so getting between them usually means domestic or cross-border flights, not driving. US domestic flights connect the 11 American host cities; reaching Canadian or Mexican venues means international flights with the relevant entry authorisation (ESTA/eTA/FMM). Book inter-city flights early, and allow time at each border to re-clear immigration.
Visa, entry and on-sale details change frequently. Always confirm current requirements with official government and event sources before booking travel or tickets.
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets
88 priced events, from EUR 398. Shown in your currency at checkout.
Match 20 (Group J): Austria vs Jordan
16 June 2026 · Santa Clara, CA
Match 17 (Group I): France vs Senegal
16 June 2026 · East Rutherford, NJ
Match 18 (Group I): Iraq vs Norway
16 June 2026 · Foxborough, MA
Match 19 (Group J): Argentina vs Algeria
16 June 2026 · Kansas City, MO
Match 22 (Group L): England vs Croatia
17 June 2026 · Dallas, TX
Match 23 (Group K): Portugal vs DR Congo
17 June 2026 · Houston, TX
New to buying these tickets? Read our how to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I officially buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets?
Only through FIFA's official portal at FIFA.com/tickets, where you create a free FIFA account and sign in. This covers both primary sales and the official resale marketplace. Tickets bought elsewhere risk being invalid.
How does the ticket draw / random selection work?
Earlier phases used a Random Selection Draw: you entered during a set window and, if selected, were given a time slot to buy. Entering early didn't improve your odds. A later Last-Minute phase (from 1 April 2026) sold remaining tickets first-come, first-served. Check FIFA.com/tickets for what's open.
How much do tickets cost and can I pay in Australian dollars?
Prices are in US dollars with dynamic pricing and ~15% fees. The cheapest group-stage seats were reported from around US$60, with the final ranging from roughly US$2,030 up to about US$6,730+. You pay by card; your bank converts to AUD, so use a low-fee card and budget for exchange-rate swings.
How are tickets delivered?
Tickets are fully digital and delivered to the official FWC2026 Mobile Tickets app. They are not emailed or downloadable as PDFs, and screenshots are not accepted at the gate.
What visas or entry approvals do Australians need?
Each host country requires its own: an ESTA for the USA, an eTA for Canada (air travel), and a Tourist Card/FMM for Mexico. All generally expect 6 months' passport validity. Rules change — verify via Smartraveller and each country's official immigration site before booking.
How long are flights from Australia?
Los Angeles is the main gateway, around 13h 50m non-stop from Sydney. Dallas is about 15h 30m and Vancouver about 14h. New York is usually one-stop (~23–24h) and Mexico City has no direct flights (~20–21h via LA). Times are approximate.
How do I get between host cities?
With 16 cities across three countries, travel between venues is mainly by domestic or cross-border flights — book early, and remember each border crossing means clearing immigration with the right ESTA/eTA/FMM.