For lovers of the beautiful game, it’s going to be a truly beautiful summer. Today (11 June), the largest World Cup ever kicks off in North America, with a record 48 teams battling it out.
Although the 104 matches are being played across Mexico, Canada and the US, the overwhelming majority – 78 games – will take place in the latter.
From Seattle in the rugged Pacific Northwest to sun-drenched Miami, 11 cities will host matches, with all roads leading to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium for the final on July 19. Next month’s play-offs will see the last six teams decided, with Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in with a shot.
Meanwhile, the 42 nations already qualified include Scotland – in their first World Cup finals since 1998 – and England, dreaming of the trophy after 60 years of hurt.
If you’re considering a Stateside trip, here’s our ultimate guide…
ATLANTA
Visiting Atlanta over the summer? Check out The World of Coca Cola – a 20-acre complex that showcases the brand’s history
Georgia’s capital is surprisingly green, with many parks linked by trails.
Now known as the Hollywood of the South (or ‘Y’allywood’) for the amount of filming that takes place, from The Hunger Games to Stranger Things, it’s on the up, with resurgent neighbourhoods including Midtown and Buckhead.
Centennial Olympic Park – a legacy from Atlanta’s 1996 Summer Olympics – will host one of the largest FIFA Fan Festivals.
World Cup games: June 15 to July 15.
Don’t miss: The World of Coca Cola (worldofcoca-cola.com).
Where to stay: Splash out… Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead (from £282; hilton.com). Budget…Barclay Hotel (from £48; barclayhotel atlantadowntown.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 3/5, Food and drink: 3/5, Attractiveness: 3/5, Affordability: 5/5.
Total: 14/20
BOSTON
Boston is most-known for its Fenway Park stadium, home of the Boston Red Sox
Boston is a sports lover’s treat. The New England Patriots’ famous Gillette Stadium will host seven matches, although it’s a 40-minute train ride from Boston proper.
This historic city has a pedestrian-friendly downtown, and a superb pub scene – drop into the Bell in Hand and the Green Dragon. Expect many celebrations of America’s 250th birthday (on July 4) this summer.
World Cup games: From June 13 to July 9 – including Haiti v Scotland on June 13, Scotland v Morocco on June 19, and England v Ghana on June 23.
Don’t miss: Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox (mlb.com/redsox).
Where to stay: Splash out…The Langham Boston (from £405; langhamhotels.com). Budget…the Revolution Hotel (from £85; the revolutionhotel.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 4/5, Food and drink: 5/5, Attractiveness: 5/5, Affordability: 3/5.
Total: 17/20
DALLAS
On 17 June, England will play against Croatia at the Dallas Cowboys’ gargantuan AT&T Stadium. Once the match is over, experience the city’s rooftop scene and America’s largest urban arts district
England face Croatia at the Dallas Cowboys’ gargantuan AT&T Stadium on June 17. Sitting pretty in the geographic heart of the US, Dallas would make a brilliant World Cup base, hosting more matches than any other host city.
It’s got a booming rooftop bar scene, near-guaranteed sunshine, America’s largest urban arts district, plus great barbecue joints.
World Cup games: From June 14 to July 14 – including England v Croatia on June 17.
Don’t miss: Tex-Mex spicy comfort food (laspalmasdallas.com).
Where to stay: Splash out…Hôtel Swexan (from £330; hotelswexan.com). Budget…The Madison (from £98; themadisonhoteloc.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 4/5, Food and drink: 5/5, Attractiveness: 2/5, Affordability: 5/5.
Total: 16/20
HOUSTON
When in Houston, it’s worth checking out its abundance of museums and Space Center Houston (pictured) – the world’s best interstellar museum
Houston has a dynamic restaurant scene and excellent museums. It’s also enjoying a boutique hotel boom and is a genuine football hub. Hit the beach at Galveston, a 40-minute drive away.
World Cup games: From June 14 to July 4.
Don’t miss: Space Center Houston – the world’s best interstellar museum (spacecenter.org).
Where to stay: Splash out …La Colombe d’Or (from £325; la colombedor.com). Budget …Hotel Ylem (from £70; hotelylem.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 3/5, Food and drink: 5/5, Attractiveness: 2/5, Affordability: 5/5.
Total: 15/20
KANSAS CITY
Kansas City has the loudest stadium (pictured) of the US host cities, reporting a record-shattering 142.2db of crowd noise in 2014
The smallest of the US host cities, Kansas City has the loudest stadium. Arrowhead Stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs, set the record at 142.2db of crowd noise in 2014.
It’s a level which could well be shattered at the World Cup, with Lionel Messi’s Argentina coming. Kansas City is also renowned for its lively jazz and craft beer scenes.
World Cup games: From June 16 to July 11.
Don’t miss: The Museum of BBQ (museumofbbq.co).
Where to stay: Splash out…The Raphael (from £392; raphaelkc.com). Budget…The Fontaine (from £108; thefontainehotel.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 2/5, Food and drink: 4/5, Attractiveness: 2/5, Affordability: 5/5.
Total: 13/20
LOS ANGELES
Consider yourself the ultimate movie buff? It’s worth booking a tour at Paramount Studios if you’re heading to Los Angeles for the World Cup
The City of Angels is not only preparing for World Cup 2026, it’s also hosting the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics. To cope, a massive £90billion public transport upgrade is underway, along with openings of museums to hotels.
This summer, look out for a new Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
World Cup games: June 12 to July 10.
Don’t miss: Paramount Studio Tour, for movie magic (paramount studiotour.com).
Where to stay: Splash out…Santa Monica Proper (from £338; properhotel.com). Budget… Freehand LA (from £108; freehand hotels.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 5/5, Food and drink: 5/5, Attractiveness: 4/5, Affordability: 2/5.
Total: 16/20
MIAMI
Miami is one of Florida’s most popular holiday spots thanks to its iconic beach and thriving nightlife, but visitors should instead steer toward some of the area’s less-frequented hotspots, like Crandon Park and Surfside Beach
Locals live large and loud in Miami, where the beaches are at the forefront of daily life. Pay a visit to Little Haiti, one of its most vibrant neighbourhoods, which will see some serious partying when Haiti makes its World Cup bow on June 13.
Check out scenic coastal spots including Crandon Park and Surfside Beach.
World Cup games: From June 15 to July 18, including Brazil v Scotland on June 24.
Don’t miss: Reefline, a new seven-mile underwater sculpture park (thereefline.org).
Where to stay: Splash out …1 Hotel South Beach (from £592; 1hotels.com). Budget …The Elser Hotel (from £71; theelserhotel.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 4/5, Food and drink: 5/5, Attractiveness: 5/5, Affordability: 3/5.
Total: 17/20
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
East Rutherford in New Jersey is where you’ll find the MetLife Stadium: home to the New York Giants and New York Jets – and this year’s World Cup final venue
New York City needs no introduction, but East Rutherford, New Jersey probably does.
This town across the river from the Big Apple is where you’ll find MetLife Stadium: home to the New York Giants and New York Jets – and this year’s World Cup final venue.
The bad news is the journey from Manhattan on a bus or train can take over an hour (consider a $45 Uber, taking 20 minutes).
World Cup games: From June 13 to July 19 – including Panama v England on June 27.
Don’t miss: Whitney Museum of American Art, for World Cup-themed ‘Free Friday Nights’ with DJ sets and drinks (whitney.org).
Where to stay: Splash out…Warren Street Hotel (from £695; firmdalehotels.com). Budget…Civilian Hotel (from £111; civilianhotel.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 5/5, Food and drink: 5/5, Attractiveness: 5/5, Affordability: 1/5.
Total: 16/20
PHILADELPHIA
Philadephia is most-known for the Philadephia Eagles, Rocky Balboa and a mean cheesesteak, but it also boasts plenty of history – and its set to host a key match on Independence Day
The City of Brotherly Love will host a key knock-out match on Independence Day. Philly is indelibly linked with the story of American statehood, and will be celebrating its 250th anniversary throughout.
It’s also famous for its fictional son, Rocky Balboa, and every maiden visit needs to feature a Rocky-style sprint up the steps of the Museum of Art, followed by a gooey (and delicious) cheesesteak sandwich.
World Cup games: From June 14 to July 4.
Don’t miss: Eastern State Penitentiary, a 19th-century prison now a tourist site (easternstate.org).
Where to stay: Splash out…The Rittenhouse (from £292; rittenhousehotel.com). Budget…Penn’s View Hotel (from £73; pennsviewhotel.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 3/5, Food and drink: 3/5, Attractiveness: 2/5, Affordability: 3/5.
Total: 11/20
SAN FRANCISCO
Reflect in The Preidio (pictured), a national park facing the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
Even though the stadium is in Santa Clara – 47 miles from San Francisco, the city will attract many World Cup fans. There are loads of must-sees from the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, to Haight-Ashbury, centre of the Summer of Love.
Then you have rugged hiking trails, gorgeous beaches and rich wine country encircling the city. Transport links are smooth and efficient (less than an hour to the stadium).
World Cup games: From June 13 to July 1.
Don’t miss: The Presidio – a tranquil national park facing Golden Gate Bridge (presidio.gov).
Where to stay: Splash out…Cavallo Point (from £422; cavallo point.com). Budget…FOUND Hotel (from £81; foundhotels.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 4/5, Food and drink: 4/5, Attractiveness: 4/5, Affordability: 2/5.
Total: 14/20
SEATTLE
While in Seattle, rent a boat on Lake Union (pictured) and enjoy the surrounding view of the city
Seattle just unveiled Waterfront Park, linking downtown with the shoreline via paths lined by public art. The World Cup action is at Lumen Field, home of current Super Bowl champs, the Seattle Seahawks, and a short stroll from downtown.
Head to the Ballard neighbourhood for live music, up the Space Needle for views, and down to Pike Place Market for a coffee from the original Starbucks.
World Cup games: From June 15 to July 6.
Don’t miss: Rent a boat on Lake Union (theelectricboatco.com).
Where to stay: Splash out…Populus Seattle (from £205; populusseattle.com). Budget…Belltown Inn (from £94; belltown-inn.com).
FOOTIE FAN RATING: Things to do: 3/5, Food and drink: 4/5, Attractiveness: 4/5, Affordability: 2/5.
Total: 13/20
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