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Every four years, billions of spectators around the globe tune in to soccer’s FIFA World Cup — the world’s most popular sporting event.
And in 2026, the party comes to America — just in time for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebration.
FIFA World Cup 26 pits dozens of the world’s best national soccer (aka fútbol) teams against each other in a series of electrifying country-versus-country matchups.
With a lineup of 48 teams for 2026 (the most in FIFA World Cup history), the 39-day tournament takes place in 16 cities across North America, including right here in Philadelphia.
Philly hosts six big matches at Lincoln Financial Field, expecting to draw more than half a million visitors in total to the city, as well as the 39-day FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park.
The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with Philly’s matchups being held between June 14 and July 4, 2026 — which happens to be the 250th birthday of the United States.
Read on for a comprehensive guide on what to expect during FIFA World Cup 26 in Philly.
The number of matches in this year’s World Cup sets a new record — a whopping 104 matches — divided into 12 groups of four teams.
FIFA World Cup 26 kicks off with an opening match in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca (North America’s most famous soccer venue) on Thursday, June 11, 2026.
South Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field (temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium) then plays host to six of the tournament’s matches total.
The Philly region begins with five Group Stage “pool play” matchups at The Linc — featuring qualified national teams from semi-randomly assigned groups — from June 14 to 27, 2026.
Known colloquially as Les Éléphants, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is making its first FIFA World Cup appearance since 2014. Guided by midfielder Franck Kessie and defender Evan Ndicka, the upstart Ivorians are training at Subaru Park, home of the Philadelphia Union. Côte d’Ivoire is a three-time winner of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ecuador, nicknamed “La Tri” due to the three colors on its flag, is looking for World Cup vengeance after getting bounced from the group stage in 2022. They are paced by 36-year-old Enner Valencia — Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer — as well as top defenders Piero Hincapie and Willian Pacho.
Brazil owns a record five World Cup titles dating back to 1958, yet they enter this tournament on a lull. The so-called Seleção Canarinho (Canary Squad) finished fifth in its worst-ever qualifying campaign, leading the squad to hire new manager Carlo Ancelotti of Italy. Brazil, on reputation, remains a favorite to win it all.
Haiti, nicknamed Les Grenadiers, brings a nothing-to-lose attitude into international competition. This marks the Caribbean nation’s first World Cup berth in 52 years. Led by star striker Duckens Nazon, Haiti topped Group C in qualifying matches.
Fun fact: Danley Jean Jacques, a 25-year-old midfielder for the Philadelphia Union, is suiting up for the Haitian national team. He was born in Petit-Goâve, Haiti.
France is the odds-on favorite to win Group I, aka the dreaded “Group of Death.” Looking further down the road, Les Bleus — arguably the deepest squad on the field, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappé — is a top-ranked contender to take home the 18-karat-gold trophy.
Iraq, known as the Lions of Mesopotamia, is another team playing with house money. Making its first appearance since 1986, Aussie manager Graham Arnold received a hero’s welcome from Iraqi fans at the Sydney airport simply for qualifying.
Does Cinderella get her glass slipper? Curaçao, nicknamed The Blue Wave, enters its first-ever FIFA World Cup tournament with momentum after going undefeated in 10 qualifying matches: seven wins and three draws, with 28 goals scored.
Vice versa, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) also put on a clinic in the qualifying rounds. The West African nation never lost — eight wins and two draws in 10 matches — while scoring 15 goals and conceding none.
This one has huge big-game potential, with Croatia slated for top contender status and Ghana mentioned as an unpredictable giant slayer.
Coming off a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup — piggybacking a runner-up finish in 2018 — The Blazers of Croatia have all the tools to win the whole thing, relying heavily on star midfielders Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić.
Watch out for Ghana, which went 8-1-1 during qualification. The Black Stars (behind midfielder Mohammed Kudus) seem primed for a deep run, although there could be an adjustment period as Portuguese manager Carlos Queiroz takes the reins.
As the tournament progresses, the top two teams from each round-robin group (one group per city) move into the single-elimination Knockout Stage.
Philadelphia does not host a match during the Knockout Stage’s Round of 32, but returns for a high-stakes Round of 16 match at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, 2026 — one of Philly’s biggest holidays and America’s Semiquincentennial — for the right to advance to a Quarter-final in Boston. The teams for that match (Match 89) are still to be determined.
From there, the winners will progress to the semifinals in Texas and Atlanta, and conclude with the FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
FIFA World Cup 26 tickets are still on sale on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fans can also look for resale options at the Marketplace link on FIFA.com/tickets.
Public transit is the quickest and easiest way to get to the stadium, via SEPTA’s B (Broad Street) subway line. Simply exit at NRG Station, the last southbound subway stop, and take a short walk to the stadium. SEPTA plans to offer 10 additional trains on the B line prior to each match.
Fans staying in Center City or heading there for post-match revelry can count on additional late-night and overnight service on the B line and the L (Market-Frankford) subway lines, leaving the City Hall stop every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour. SEPTA also plans to add late-night service on the Regional Rail lines, with details still emerging. Check SEPTA’s official 2026 travel page for the latest info and updates.
Note: SEPTA’s normal $2.90 base fare to take the B subway one-way to the Linc remains unchanged during the games. Bonus! Fans can enjoy a free ride home from the NRG Station. Just head back to the NRG station anytime after the half (up to two hours post-match) to enjoy free fare, one-way.
For more information on using SEPTA to get to the games (including updated info on Regional Rail, buses and more), head over here.
— Photo courtesy FIFA World Cup 26 Philadelphia
Parking in and around Philadelphia Stadium for FIFA World Cup 26 matches won’t be cheap.
Passes are selling for a minimum of $125 online during group-stage matches. According to FIFA, all parking passes must be pre-purchased, and a valid match ticket is required.
Tailgating is allowed in most stadium-controlled lots. Lots open at least four hours before kick-off, closing one hour after the match ends.
Fans should check the list of prohibited items ahead of entry.
You’ll need to make sure any bags you bring into the stadium adhere to the “clear bag” policy in the code.
And here’s a quick run-down of some of the items to make sure you leave at home: weapons of any kind, including firearms, blades and even pepper spray; lighters and matches; and bottles or cans, except for “one, soft, plastic, 20 ounces (590ml), factory sealed disposable water bottle.”
Stateside Live! — a dining and entertainment hub within the sports complex — offers the official (and exclusive) pre- and post-game experiences with varying levels of hospitality exclusive.
Each level of Stateside’s experience packages includes all of the perks of the lower levels with added bonuses. Read more about the packages here.
The City of Philadelphia has created a dedicated safety page for the World Cup. Text “ReadyPhila” to 888-777 to get safety info and emergency alerts. The city page links to FIFA’s Code of Conduct. Bookmark this page to review when you are getting your gear ready before the games.
Folks looking to experience the FIFA excitement can join thousands of other fans at the 39-day-long, free-admission FIFA Fan Festival.
While free and open to all, revelers heading to the Fan Festival must first register on the official Philadelphia Soccer 2026 host site by clicking on the day you plan to attend and completing the form. Fans receive digital e-tickets that they need to show to get inside the fenced perimeter.
Held at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park over the course of the event, the massive international celebration features the best of fútbol culture, along with giant screens broadcasting live matches and highlights, food and beverage vendors, live music and entertainment, and international cultural events and parties.
— Rendering courtesy Philadelphia Soccer 2026
Organizers expect about 15,000 to 25,000 to attend the fan festival each match day. Non-match days feature ticketed concert events.
Philly PHLASH might be the easiest way to get to the FIFA Fan Fest, especially with its brand-new stop created just to shuttle visitors to the event. The 2026 Downtown Loop adds PHLASH Stop 9 at Pennsylvania and Fairmount avenues (just a quick walk from Lemon Hill). An all-day PHLASH pass costs $5, while SEPTA Key holders, seniors and kids under four can ride for free.
Riders can purchase PHLASH passes online, at a visitor center or with exact cash while boarding. Check out our 2026 PHLASH guide here.
You can also get to the event on public transit, as SEPTA offers increased access on several routes, including the 32 and 48 buses, which both have a stop at Pennsylvania and Fairmount avenues, just a short walk away from Fan Fest.
If you decide to bike there, look for the bike valets to secure your ride while you celebrate.
Can’t catch the action in-person? No problem. As momentum builds for this epic showcase of soccer elites, Philly welcomes the world through various watch parties, supporter events and live viewings at some of the city’s top bars and restaurants.
Whether you’re looking for dive bars where everybody knows your name, fancy flat screens in the clouds or festivities that keep going well after the sun sets, the Philly watch party scene is goal-den.
Read on for our guide on where to watch FIFA World Cup 26 in Philadelphia.
Philly’s lineup of teams is a big deal. What better way to experience these cultures than through food?
Whether you’re looking for coastal Caribbean flavors, Latin American staples, perfectly spiced West African classics or indulgent French delicacies, Philly’s authentic and diverse food scene has got you covered.
Our FIFA World Cup dining guide offers cuisine representing each FIFA World Cup 26 team hosted in Philly — and your chance to try something new or enjoy a taste of home.
African Small Pot — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
It’s go-time for FIFA World Cup 26. That means it’s also go-time for the expected visitors to book a hotel for game day(s).
Luckily, Philly has an abundance of hotels for fans needing a place to call home during the games — both near the stadium and throughout the city.
Get the scoop on where to stay in Philadelphia — as well as where to get sweet perks — with our FIFA World Cup hotel guide.
Courtyard Philadelphia South at The Navy Yard — Photo by J.Goldman
Philadelphians know the stadium as The Linc, but during the World Cup, we’re going to call it Philadelphia Stadium. It holds close to 70,000 people, and when you pack that many people into one space, all cheering on their favorite team, it can get crazy loud.
Visitors have registered volume levels of up to 95 decibels — loud enough that our beloved Birds sometimes have trouble hearing calls — so bring some earplugs if you want to dampen the noise.
The stadium serves up local favorites like cheesesteaks, with venerable stands like Tony Luke’s and Chickie’s & Pete’s. Other Philly favorites on hand include Philly Pretzel Factory, Rita’s Italian Ice and more.
Fans with dietary restrictions can feast as well. The stadium has made it onto PETA’s list of the most vegetarian-friendly NFL stadiums due to its wealth of meat-free options, while those seeking Kosher and gluten-free eats can find ample options too.
Parking at the stadium has always been plentiful: The whole sports complex has more than 21,000 spots, with 2,000 outside The Linc. Tailgating often starts many hours before Philly sports games, so feel free to set up your group’s pre-game eats and drinks in the lot to get ready for the game.
Nearby, Stateside Live! also hosts match-day experiences, pre- and post-game parties, food and drink, and varying levels of hospitality.
As Philadelphia welcomes the world to our beloved city, we know getting to new places can sometimes cause stress. The good news for first-timers to Philly: Getting here is easy.
We’ve got a world-class airport, easy Amtrak access and a local mass-transit system with buses, trolleys and trains.
Check out our comprehensive guide to getting to Philly to help you plan your route here.
In addition, the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau updates its Ultimate Guide to FIFA World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia regularly, and has a special section with tips for international fans coming to see games in the U.S.
With so many different ways to navigate Philadelphia, getting to the stadium on game day is a breeze. For those driving to the matches, Lincoln Financial Field is accessible from I-95 and I-76.
The quickest way to the stadium is to take SEPTA’s B (Broad Street) subway line. Simply exit at NRG Station, the last southbound subway stop. SEPTA’s normal $2.90 base fare to take the B subway one-way to the Linc remains unchanged during the games. Plus, fans can enjoy a free ride home on the subway from the NRG Station anytime after the half (up to two hours post-match). SEPTA plans to increase service ahead of the matches, with an additional 10 trains heading to the Linc on match days.
Those heading north after matches can ride for free on the B line up to two hours post-game and expect additional late-night and overnight service in Center City on the B line and the L subway lines, leaving the City Hall stop every 30 minutes on the hour and half-hour. Check SEPTA’s official 2026 travel page for the latest info and updates.
Note: If you need help finding your way on Philly’s subway system, look for SEPTA Ambassadors decked out in snazzy blue vests to help you get where you need to go.
Philly’s got a robust bicycling program, where anyone can grab an Indego bike at one of hundreds of stations across the city. The city is also one of the most walkable in the country, voted the most walkable city for visitors in the U.S. three years in a row in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Learn more in our comprehensive guide to getting around Philly, and check out our neighborhood guides to give you an intro to the local flavor of each section of the city.
¡Bienvenidos! Bienvenue! Bem-vindo! Philly welcomes non-native English speakers from around the globe. The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau has created guides to Philadelphia in numerous languages.
The city also has a list of helpful “I Speak” cards you can download and/or print out to help you access city services from someone who can speak your language.
For those visiting The Linc with disabilities or mobility challenges, note that the stadium has an accessibility guide in addition to a state-of-the-art sensory room on-site.
Check out Visit Philadelphia’s comprehensive guide to accessibility in the city.
No stranger to hosting epic international events (like the Pope visiting!), Philly has hotels in every corner of the city, from five-star luxury stays to cozy boutique digs to call your home away from home.
Our guide to Philadelphia hotels can help you get started, and because Philly is more fun when you sleep over, we love sharing hotel deals with visitors, including our Visit Philly Overnight Hotel Package.
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia — Photo courtesy of Live! Casino & Hotel
Philadelphia is undoubtedly one of the best dining and nightlife cities in America.
Don’t take our word. Just ask Eater. Or Condé Nast Traveler. Or Food & Wine, Forbes, and Travel + Leisure.
Maybe peruse the James Beard Awards, which bestowed culinary honors on dozens of Philadelphia restaurants and bars, or Michelin’s brand-new guide to the city.
That’s not to mention the cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and hoagies people flock to Philly to savor, in addition to historic spots like our much-beloved Reading Terminal Market, in operation since 1892. Let’s just say your taste buds will thank you after they’ve experienced Philly’s food scene.
Looking for where to start? Check out our guide to must-visit restaurants for first-time visitors.
Reading Terminal Market — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
At the start of June in Philly, daytime high temperatures average 78 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. By the end of the month, average highs jump to 85 degrees, bottoming out at night near 65 degrees.
July in Philadelphia can get pretty hot. Daytime high temperatures average 87 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows around 70 degrees.
Expect lots of sun — and bring an umbrella, for an occasional pop-up thunderstorm.
2026 is Philadelphia’s biggest year yet. In addition to FIFA World Cup 26, we’re hosting plenty of major events for the Semiquincentennial — America’s year-long 250th birthday.
Events include The Declaration’s Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution and new galleries at the National Constitution Center, all building up to Wawa Welcome America, the city’s massive 16-day celebration of independence.
National Constitution Center — Photo by J. Miczek for the National Constitution Center
Philadelphia’s founder, William Penn, envisioned a city filled with green space, and modern-day Philly bursts with tranquil green spots — like Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park and nearby FDR Park — each perfect for strolling when you need a break from the bustle.
You can also explore Philly’s riverside along the Schuylkill River Trail and Delaware River Trail, which each offer stunning skyline and riverside views.
Shoppers love visiting the commercial corridors and charming boutique shops spread across the city.
And if you’re looking to immerse yourself in the local culture, Philly’s got you covered from Black, Latino and AAPI culture, to LGBTQ+.
Get started with our list of the most essential things for first-time visitors to Philly, find activities for the whole family with our guides to the top things to do with kids and teens, or have fun without breaking the bank with our comprehensive guide on free things to do in Philly.
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Senior Web Content Manager, Visit Philadelphia
Contributing Writer
Web Content Manager, Visit Philadelphia
It’s Philly’s biggest year yet!
Make the most of it by booking the Visit Philly Overnight Package, which comes with free hotel parking and complimentary tickets to some of the most popular attractions in each of Greater Philadelphia’s five counties including Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition at The Franklin Institute, the Mercer Museum in Bucks County, Longwood Gardens in Chester County, the Brandywine Museum of Art in Delaware County and Elmwood Park Zoo in Montgomery County.
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