The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to be held simultaneously in three countries: USA, Canada and Mexico. For fans around the world, this opens up a wider range of travel options, but also a more complex cost scheme.
Supporters who want to experience matches live will not only travel between stadiums, but also between three different currency zones, price levels and everyday realities, say XTB analysts. Many therefore wonder where they can get the most football spirit for their money.
For spectators, the cost of attending the World Cup is not determined solely by the price of the flight, but also by the combined effects of the exchange rate, the cost of living and local customs such as tipping. The differences between host countries are notable and add up quickly. A key factor is the exchange rate. Almost all daily expenses are significantly cheaper in Mexico than in North America.
Various costs, from flight to hotel
The price differences also extend to travel costs, even if they are less obvious at first glance. Flights from Romania to the cities in all three countries where matches are taking place cost over 1,000 euros (but the visa must also be taken into account, where necessary).
However, once you arrive at your destination, it quickly becomes apparent that the real costs are just beginning. During the World Cup, massive price increases for accommodation (hotels/Airbnb) can be expected, which can be 200-300% above normal rates, depending on the host city. Even under these conditions, Mexico remains the most affordable option. In cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara or Monterrey, relatively affordable accommodation can be found even during the tour, while metropolises like New York City or Los Angeles are in a completely different price category. Canada’s Toronto and Vancouver are also among the most expensive host cities, according to XTB.
Interestingly, it is not only accommodation costs that make the difference, but above all local transport, which has a significant impact on the total budget. In the US, fans benefit from a dense network of domestic flights with an average price of around $300-400 each way, as well as lower fuel prices than in Europe. This makes it relatively easy and predictable to combine multiple locations where matches are held, such as Houston and New York City.
In Canada and Mexico, the flight network is less extensive and often more expensive, which is why alternative means of transportation are more important there. At the same time, there is a clear cost advantage for rental cars in Mexico: prices, including insurance, are often only around 17-45 euros per day, plus around 9 euros for mandatory liability insurance. In the US and Canada, on the other hand, the average cost is 50-68 euros per day. Fuel prices in Canada and Mexico are higher than in the US. Mexico offers the cheapest point of entry and daily travel options, while the US has the most expensive transportation along the coast, but thanks to affordable flights, it offers the best domestic options, XTB’s analysis points out.
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Food, beer and tips: costs add up in everyday life on site
The difference is most obvious in everyday life. Food, drinks and incidental expenses add up over several days than one-off costs such as flights or tickets. And this is exactly where Mexico excels. In terms of daily consumption, Mexico is clearly superior to the US and Canada. This applies to both restaurants and bars.
While a simple meal in North America can easily cost over 20 euros, prices in Mexico are lower. The same goes for drinks, especially beer, which in Mexico often costs a fraction of what fans in the US or Canada pay. For example, for a draft beer, tourists in Mexico pay between 1.25 euros and 2.50 euros, while in Canada and the USA the price is around 5 euros.
Tipping and payments to merchants, often underestimated
Another often underestimated cost is tipping. In the US and Canada, 15-20% is practically mandatory and considered a standard share of income in many places. For travelers, this means that each bill ends up being higher than it initially appears. In Mexico, on the other hand, while tips of around 10% are common, they are less strictly regulated. Over the course of several days, this difference can reach several hundred euros.
Another aspect that fans can consider is payment processing at merchants, needing to identify an advantageous solution. For example, XTB offers a multi-currency card and mobile wallet that directly accepts US dollars, Canadian dollars and Mexican pesos. Payments can thus be made without additional conversions, which reduces fees and makes costs more transparent, a particularly useful feature for those combining multiple World Cup venues in different countries.
Where is it cheaper to go to the World Cup?
Putting all these factors together, a clear picture emerges. Mexico offers fans by far the best value for money, Canada ranks in the middle, while the US (especially in the big coastal cities) is the most expensive. At the same time, the US has infrastructural advantages such as mobility that may be relevant to fans with more complex travel plans. Football fans looking to attend multiple matches can save considerably with proper planning. A rational approach is for fans to attend most of the time in Mexico and only selectively attend individual matches in the USA or Canada, XTB analysts point out.
However, this cost analysis does not take place in a vacuum. The geopolitical situation, especially the ongoing conflict around Iran, is already having an impact on the price structure. Rising energy prices are also driving up flight costs. For World Cup travel, this means that even well-planned budgets can come under pressure.
