Everything to Know About the World Cup in California

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is unlike anything the sport has seen before. For the first time in tournament history, 48 teams will compete across 104 matches spanning three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19. And California, with 14 scheduled matches across two venues, will be one of the busiest and most watched destinations in the whole competition. 

What’s Happening and Where 

California’s matches will be split between two regions. In the Los Angeles area, games will be played at SoFi Stadium, a modern venue that will host some of the tournament’s most high-profile matches, including knockout rounds. In Northern California, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, in the heart of Silicon Valley just south of San Francisco, will handle the Bay Area’s slate of games. 

The Match Schedule 

Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium / “Los Angeles Stadium”) 

• June 12 – United States men's national soccer team vs. Paraguay (Group D)  
• June 15 – Iran vs. New Zealand (Group G)  
• June 18 – Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Group B)  
• June 21 – Belgium vs. Iran (Group G)  
• June 25 – Türkiye vs. United States (Group D)  
• June 28 – Round of 32 (Match 73)  
• July 2 – Round of 32 (Match 84)  
• July 10 – Quarterfinal (Match 98)  

Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium / “San Francisco Bay Area Stadium”) 

• June 13 – Qatar vs. Switzerland (Group B)  
• June 16 – Austria vs. Jordan (Group J)  
• June 19 – Türkiye vs. Paraguay (Group D)  
• June 22 – Jordan vs. Algeria (Group J)  
• June 25 – Paraguay vs. Australia (Group D)  
• July 1 – Round of 32 (Match 81)  

How the Tournament Works 

The expanded format introduces a longer and more layered knockout phase. The group stage will run from June 11 through June 27, followed by the Round of 32 from June 28 to July 3 and the Round of 16 from July 4 to 7. Quarterfinals are scheduled for July 9 to 11, with the tournament concluding on July 19 at MetLife Stadium. 

Getting Tickets 

Tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA’s official platform 

The process is structured, and demand is expected to be intense, especially for U.S. matches and knockout rounds. Fans typically enter a registration phase, followed by a lottery for high-demand games, with additional sales windows and a verified resale platform available later. 

Fan Events and the Scene Beyond the Stadiums 

Even without match tickets, the World Cup experience across California will extend far beyond the stadiums. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will bring large-scale public celebrations, led by official FIFA Fan Festivals in both Los Angeles and the Bay Area. 

FIFA Fan Festival – Los Angeles 

The official FIFA Fan Festival™ Los Angeles will take place at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and run from June 11–14, 2026. 

It will feature: 

• Live broadcasts of World Cup matches  
• Music performances and cultural programming  
• Food and drink reflecting Los Angeles’ global diversity  
• Interactive football experiences and fan activations  

Featured matches include: 

• June 11 – Mexico vs. South Africa (12:00pm)  
• June 12 – Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (12:00pm); United States vs. Paraguay (6:00pm)  
• June 13 – Brazil vs. Morocco (3:00pm); Haiti vs. Scotland (6:00pm)  
• June 14 – Germany vs. Curaçao (10:00am); Netherlands vs. Japan (1:00pm)  

Beyond the official festival 

Beyond the official FIFA Fan Festival, the World Cup atmosphere will spill well outside the main venues. In both Los Angeles and the Bay Area, expect public viewing setups in parks, plazas, and along the waterfront, alongside smaller neighborhood gatherings built around specific teams and communities. 

Across the tournament, pop-up soccer events and cultural activations will appear in different parts of each region, often with little notice, adding to the sense that something is happening everywhere at once. 

Los Angeles in particular is likely to lean into this on a larger scale, with weeks of programming spread across multiple neighborhoods rather than concentrated in a single district. 

Getting There and Getting Around 

California’s host cities are well connected, with Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), and San Jose International Airport (SJC) serving as primary entry points. 

Getting to the stadiums will still take planning. In Los Angeles, fans will rely on a mix of transit, shuttles, and rideshare options to reach SoFi Stadium. In the Bay Area, access to Levi’s Stadium runs through Caltrain and VTA Light Rail, with BART not directly serving the venue. 

A Few Things to Know About Accommodations 

Hotels near match dates fill up fast, and if you're eyeing anything in central Los Angeles or San Francisco, expect to feel that pressure sooner than you'd think. Prices tend to spike around the big fixtures, so locking in a reservation early isn't just smart. It's pretty much necessary. 

That said, staying a little outside the city core is worth considering. You'd be surprised how manageable the transit connections can be, and you'll have a lot more options to work with. Just know that once the tournament kicks off, proximity is going to cost you in both cities. 

Why California Works as a Host 

Los Angeles does not slow down for anyone 

Beaches, iconic neighborhoods, world-class restaurants, and a nightlife scene that runs well past midnight mean the city will keep you busy long after the final whistle. There is always another corner worth exploring, another meal worth making a reservation for. 

San Francisco has a way of getting under your skin 

Beyond the tech campuses and the fog rolling over the bay, there is extraordinary food, waterfront culture, and easy day trips to Napa, Sonoma, or the Northern California coast. It is a region that rewards curiosity. 

Non-match days here are not filler 

Both cities have world-class museums, live music spilling out of venues large and small, distinct neighborhoods that feel like separate cities entirely, and dining scenes diverse enough to fill a trip on their own. You will not be looking for things to do. 

California has a way of making you extend your trip 

For international visitors especially, pairing the World Cup with time in the Golden State turns a sports trip into something much harder to forget. Most people who come for the games end up wishing they had booked an extra week. 

Forty-eight nations, 104 matches and one tournament. California will make sure you remember exactly where you were for it. So, start planning now. The only thing worse than missing a match is missing the whole experience.