The best hotels in FIFA World Cup host cities

The FIFA World Cup is, without a doubt, football’s greatest tournament and the most exciting event for football fans across the world. Since its first edition in 1930, it has been organized by FIFA every four years, uniting the world’s national teams. Over time, teams like Brazil, Germany, Italy, and Argentina have shown themselves to be legendary champions, keeping expectations high and thrilling supporters and spectators alike.

The World Cup is structured through qualification rounds, group stages, and knockouts, and in 2026, the tournament is entering an exciting new era, with world cup host cities spread out across joint hosts Canada, the USA, and Mexico. As part of this exciting new era, the number of teams in the tournament is also expanding from 32 to 48.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to unfold across North America, with a host of iconic cities serving as venues for the matches and welcoming the fans. Among the foremost cities hosting the World Cup are New York/New Jersey in the United States, and Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City in Mexico. All of these will have the chance to showcase their incredible stadiums, passion for the game, and world-class hospitality with the FIFA World Cup.

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New York / New Jersey

The New York–New Jersey metropolitan area is set to be the global face of the tournament, with matches played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, including the FIFA World Cup Final, making this the competition’s most prestigious venue. The city will also play host to key knockout stage matches, with visitors travelling here from across the globe. Football fans staying in Manhattan, especially around the Madison Avenue area, can also enjoy excellent transport links and the world-renowned culture that New York is revered for. The NH Collection New York Madison Avenue is centrally located, and offers both comfort and easy access to all the major attractions and transport connections in Midtown Manhattan, making this a prime choice for anyone travelling for the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches.

Monterrey

One of Mexico’s most cutting-edge and dynamic cities, Monterrey will be hosting group stage matches as part of the tournament’s Central Region. Famous for its stunning mountain ranges and excellent infrastructure, Monterrey offers football fans an electric atmosphere against a backdrop of world-class amenities. Recommended hotels for the World Cup include NH Collection Monterrey San Pedro and NH Monterrey La Fe, both of which benefit from central locations and provide comfort, security, and four-star amenities for travelers to enjoy between those all-important fixtures.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara, known to many as the cultural heart of Mexico, is one of the World Cup host cities primed for group stage matches and possibly early knockout games. With the city’s mariachi music, tequila, and passion for football, the vibe at the stadium here is set to be electric. Guadalajara has a great range of excellent accommodation including NH Collection Guadalajara Providencia in the heart of the city’s financial district and NH Guadalajara Studios, inside the Punto Sao Paulo shopping center. Both hotels offer the ultimate in comfort, for football lovers and everyone else.

Mexico City

With its unique place in World Cup history, Mexico City will once again be taking center stage by hosting the opening match of the tournament, Mexico vs South Africa. As one of the world’s largest cities, it will also be hosting multiple group stage matches, making it a focal point for both fans and media. Its extensive hotel network for FIFA World Cup accommodation includes top tier options such as:

With this accommodation, no matter wherever you’re staying, comfort, first-class amenities and a top-class stay come as standard.

What Else Can You Do in Mexico?

Beyond the buzz of the FIFA World Cup, Mexico boasts an extraordinary mix of culture, nature, cuisine, and leisure options across its beautiful regions. With everything from stunning colonial architecture, ancient monuments, world-class beaches and vibrant cultural capitals, any trip to Mexico promises to be unforgettable, even after the final whistle has been blown on the FIFA 2026 World Cup matches.

Cancún, on the Caribbean coast, is a byword for relaxation and adventure. With turquoise waters, stunning coral reefs, and world class attractions including cenotes and archaeological sites, the area has something for every visitor. The Avani Cancún Airport Hotel provides quick access to the airport, beaches, and is close to nearby theme and adventure parks, making it the ideal base whether you’re flying in and out or having a more leisurely stay.  

Located in central Mexico, refined, colonial Querétaro, is famed for its historic center, vineyards, and cultural heritage, and is also a starting point for the famous wine and cheese route. The NH Querétaro is the perfect base, with its proximity to the city’s main attractions and business districts.  

Nearby San Luis Potosí is a favorite with visitors, drawn by its beautiful historic center and proximity to natural wonders of the Huasteca Potosina region. The NH San Luis Potosí, right on the city’s main thoroughfare, makes it easy for visitors to access all that the city and its surrounding areas have to offer.  

Beautiful Puebla is famed for its UNESCO-listed historic center, incredible cuisine, and the quality of its architecture. The NH Puebla Centro Histórico is just a stone’s throw from many of the city’s attractions, or visitors can opt for NH Puebla Finsa, a little further out of town and ideal for exploring the wider Puebla region.  

In the southeast of the country, Mérida, the capital of Yucatán, blends fascinating Mayan heritage with colonial architecture and a vibrant cultural scene, offering opportunities to explore. The NH Collection Mérida Paseo Montejo, which is part of the Paseo 60 mall, has everything visitors to this fascinating city need for a comfortable and seamless stay.

Let the World Cup Guide You to Cities Full of Culture and Adventure

With excitement building for the FIFA World Cup 2026, football fans are looking to the Americas as the time draws near. Beautiful, vibrant Mexico is of course, so much more than a World Cup destination. The warmth of its people, the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its ancient and colonial heritage, the cuisine, the beaches…the list goes on and on. All of which makes it the perfect place to host the vast sea of visitors set to arrive for all the football fun. The world cup host cities are primed to accommodate visitors in style at the many well-located hotels, and while football fans may come for the games, no doubt they’ll leave these countries with incredible memories of all that Mexico and United States of America have to offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which countries and cities are hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, across 16 cities: Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.

Which host city will host the World Cup final in 2026?

The World Cup final will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New York / New Jersey.

Do all host cities host the same number of matches during the World Cup?

No. Host cities do not host the same number of matches. FIFA distributes matches unevenly across the 16 host cities based on stadium capacity, infrastructure, location, and the tournament stage assigned. Some cities are designated mainly for group stage matches, while others host knockout rounds, such as the Round of 32, quarter finals, semi finals, or the final.

What cultural attractions do World Cup host cities typically promote to visitors?

World Cup host cities typically promote a mix of cultural attractions to encourage visitors to explore beyond the matches. These include iconic landmarks, historic quarters, museums, local cuisine, music, art, and cultural festivals, fan zones, and live entertainment. Many cities also promote nearby natural attractions, along with shopping and nightlife.

How do host cities ensure safety and crowd management during matches?

The host cities ensure this through multilayered security planning and coordination. Local authorities work with national governments and international partners to deploy police, emergency, and medical teams at stadiums, fan zones, transport hubs, and public spaces. Crowd flow planning, access controls, ticket checks, surveillance, real time monitoring, and joint task forces are all in place to ensure safety throughout the tournament.