By Libby Rainey for LAist
Originally published Nov. 2025
Los Angeles will host eight FIFA World Cup matches in summer 2026, which is just around the corner, so LAist has partnered with our public radio partners in Kansas (where matches also will be played) to catch you up on what you need to know ahead of time.
First, L.A. is just one of 16 cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which for the first time will be staged across three different countries: Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
The tournament will start in Mexico City, but L.A. will be the first U.S. city to host a match. The U.S. Men’s National Team will play its first game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on June 12.
L.A.’s last match will be a quarterfinal July 10. In between, the city will host six more games and be the site of World Cup celebrations and viewings. In total, the World Cup will last more than a month, from June 11 to July 19, when the final takes place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
It’s going to be an exciting time in the L.A. region for soccer fans and those new to the game, so LAist put together this guide for visitors and locals alike.
When is the World Cup?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a 104-game tournament featuring 48 competing countries. It will kick off June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The tournament will last 39 days and take place across 16 North American cities.
- USA: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle
- Canada: Toronto, Vancouver
- Mexico: Guadalajara, Mexico City, Monterrey
This is the full schedule for the matches.
The World Cup final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19.
Can I still get tickets?
Yes, but ticketing for all games — including in Los Angeles — happens in phases through a lottery draw system.
For access to all ticket sales, you’ll need to register a profile through FIFA’s site.
Phases 1 and 2 of the ticket draws have closed, and successful entrants already should be notified of their opportunity to purchase tickets.
There still is the random-selection draw phase, which begins after the World Cup matchups are determined Dec. 5. Fans will be able to apply for specific matches once those are announced.
Closer to the tournament’s start, fans will be able to purchase last-minute tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.
You also can find more expensive, premium hospitality packages for games.
For information on the resale/exchange marketplace or travel visa requirements, read FIFA’s ticket site.
What will happen in L.A.?
L.A. will host eight matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Here’s the whole list:
L.A. World Cup matches
Group Stage:
- Friday, June 12,
- Monday, June 15
- Thursday, June 18
- Sunday, June 21
- Thursday, June 25
Round of 32:
- Sunday, June 28
- Thursday, July 2
Quarter-Final: Friday, July 10
- We won’t know which Group Stage teams will play until the draw Dec. 5.
Once the teams are selected, they’ll finalize their base camp locations — the facilities where they will practice and gather.
The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee is the nonprofit organizing logistics for the games across Los Angeles. There will be a FIFA Fan Festival at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum and official “fan zones” where people can gather to watch the games.
Ahead of the games, the host committee is putting on free soccer clinics in Los Angeles. The first one will be for coaches Dec. 6 at Los Angeles City College. You can register here.