World Cup 2026 Packing List — The Fan's Complete Guide

• Large bags — max size typically 12"×6"×12" (30×15×30cm). No large backpacks, duffel bags, or suitcases.
• Outside food or sealed drinks — food, beverages (including sealed water bottles) not purchased inside the stadium.
• Umbrellas with metal tips or points
• Selfie sticks and tripods
• Professional cameras with detachable lenses or zoom lenses over a certain length (varies by stadium)
• Fireworks, flares, smoke bombs
• Flags on poles over 1 metre — flags on sticks are fine if the pole is short
• Laser pointers
• Noisemakers that could be used as weapons
• Items that obstruct the view of other spectators

Practical advice: On match days, use a small clear bag or drawstring bag. Leave your main travel bag at your accommodation. Arrive 90+ minutes early for group stage matches and 2+ hours early for knockout rounds — security queues grow with the stakes.

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates (required for US entry)
• Visa / ESTA / eTA — as required for each country you're entering. See our Visa & Entry Guide.
• Travel insurance documents — digital and printed copy. Include emergency contact number.
• Match ticket copies — digital + printed backup for each match. Screenshot as a fallback if phone dies.
• Accommodation confirmations — hotel or housing booking for each city.
• International SIM or data plan — activate before you travel. Local SIMs in the USA, Canada, and Mexico are cheap and available at airports.
• Low-fee debit card — Wise, Revolut, or Charles Schwab all offer low or zero international transaction fees and ATM withdrawals. Avoid using credit cards with high foreign transaction fees.
• Emergency cash — $100–200 in the local currency for each country, stored separately from your wallet.
• Mexico tourist card (FMM) — issued on arrival or on the plane for Mexico. Do NOT throw it away — you need it to exit Mexico.

Many fans will visit 2–4 cities across the tournament. Moving between cities with heavy luggage is slow, expensive (checked bag fees on domestic US flights add up), and exhausting. The multi-city packing philosophy: pack once, move fast.

• Carry-on only where possible — a 40L carry-on bag fits most airline overhead bins and means no checked bag fees, no waiting at carousels, and no risk of lost luggage. US domestic routes are frequently on this trip.
• Packing cubes — compress clothing and let you reorganize quickly without unpacking everything at each destination.
• Laundry strategy — either pack laundry sheets for sink washing or plan one laundromat stop per city. Most shared fan accommodation has laundry access.
• Neutral base clothing — pack dark neutrals (navy, black, grey) as your base wardrobe. Add team colours via shirt, scarf, or hat rather than bringing multiple complete kits.
• Rain jacket — a lightweight, packable waterproof jacket is mandatory for Seattle, Vancouver, and Boston. Useful insurance everywhere else.
• Shoes: one walking pair, one nice pair — fan zones and post-match bars don't require dress shoes, but you might want one versatile pair beyond your walking shoes.

Buy at the Host Cities

• Official World Cup merchandise — shirts, scarves, and tournament memorabilia are cheapest and most authentic at official FIFA stores in host cities and fan zones. Prices are typically better than buying online before you go.
• Toiletries — toothpaste, shampoo, and basic toiletries are cheaper to buy locally than to pack (especially if going carry-on). CVS, Walmart, and OXXO (Mexico) all carry basics.
• Local SIM card — buy at the airport on arrival for the cheapest local data plan.
• Snacks and drinks for non-match days — grocery stores in all host cities are well-stocked and cheap.

Bring from Home

• Prescription medications — bring more than you need. Finding specific brands or formulations can be difficult, and prescriptions don't transfer internationally.
• Specific dietary needs — if you have allergies or strict dietary requirements, bring familiar products. Host cities cater to general diets, but specific requirements may be harder to find in smaller host cities.
• Electronics — your phone charger, portable power bank, and any adapters. US uses Type A/B plugs (120V). Mexico is mostly compatible. Canada uses same as US. If coming from Europe or elsewhere, a universal adapter is essential.
• Your team scarf — official merchandise from your home country's federation is often cheaper to buy before you travel than at host city stores.