Australia has officially secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah. Despite conceding an early goal to Abdulrahman Al-Aboud in the 19th minute, the Socceroos rallied with goals from Connor Metcalfe just before halftime and Mitch Duke early in the second half. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan, earning his 100th cap, preserved the win by saving a penalty in the 82nd minute.
This achievement marks Australia’s sixth consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall. The 2026 tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and matches across multiple North American cities.
Data from previous tournaments highlight a clear link between major sporting events and tourism growth. For instance, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia boosted hospitality demand across the country, contributing an estimated $460 million to the local economy.
Given this precedent, it’s expected that fans will be eager to plan itineraries that combine World Cup matches with North America’s top sights, from Niagara Falls to national parks and iconic cities. Some Australian tour operators have already begun crafting special World Cup packages, including GGA Travel, which is advertising tours built around the Socceroos’ campaign.
As demand grows, travel agents are likely to see an uptick in bookings, particularly for group travel and extended holidays that blend football fever with once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Agents are encouraged to keep an eye on visa and travel regulations across the three host nations, as well as on evolving event schedules and ticketing information.
Key Tournament Dates:
- Opening Match: 11 June 2026 at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- Group Stage: 11–27 June 2026
- Round of 32: 28 June–3 July 2026
- Round of 16: 4–7 July 2026
- Quarter-finals: 9–11 July 2026
- Semi-finals: 14–15 July 2026
- Third-place Play-off: 18 July 2026
- Final: 19 July 2026 at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- The full fixture list, including specific match pairings and kick-off times, will be confirmed following the final draw, expected towards the end of 2025.
Where the Group Stage is Being Played
The Group Stage will be hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico:
United States
- Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Boston (Gillette Stadium)
- Dallas (AT&T Stadium)
- Houston (NRG Stadium)
- Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
- Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
- Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
- New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
- Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)
- San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium)
- Seattle (Lumen Field)
Canada
- Toronto (BMO Field)
- Vancouver (BC Place)
Mexico
- Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
- Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
- Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)
