The 2026 FIFA World Cup gives Indian football supporters an extraordinary opportunity. They can witness the beautiful game on the world’s biggest stage. Millions of passionate Indian fans follow European teams religiously. They also follow South American teams.

Why Indian Fans Should Attend

India boasts one of the world’s largest football fan bases despite the national team’s absence from World Cup finals. Millions support clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Arsenal. The World Cup offers chances to watch favorite players representing their nations in knockout football’s ultimate competition.

North America’s time zones also favor Indian viewers compared to previous tournaments. Evening kickoffs in the United States translate to early morning viewing in India. This is far more manageable than the late-night schedules during European or South American World Cups.

Visa Requirements for Indian Travelers

Indian passport holders require visas for all three host nations, making early preparation essential.

United States: Apply for a B1/B2 tourist visa through the US Embassy. Processing times vary significantly, and interview slots fill quickly. Begin your application at least six months before planned travel. Demand for appointments will surge as the tournament approaches.

Canada: Indian citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or visitor visa depending on travel history. Note: If you have a valid US visa, you may be eligible for a streamlined Canadian visa process. In some cases, travellers who have previously visited Canada may not need to submit biometrics. Those who held a valid US visa in the past 10 years may also bypass the standard visitor visa process. Check with VFS Global for the latest rules.

Mexico: All Indian citizens need a Tourist Card (FMM) for a visit to Mexico. But Indians who already have a valid US visa CAN ENTER MEXICO WITHOUT APPLYING FOR A MEXICAN VISA. This will make travelling from the USA-Mexico for football matches easier. Apply for a Mexican visa via this official portal.

Book FIFA World Cup 2026 Tickets: Buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets before applying for a US visa. This is advisable. Your ticket bookings will be proof of intent for visa issuance.

Flight Options from India

Now, how do you fly to the USA from India for the 2026 Football World Cup? You can fly from Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai and any metro via several direct and non-direct options. Direct flights operate from Delhi and Mumbai to New York (EWR & JFK) and other destinations. One of the quickest options at present is the Delhi to New York flight on Air India. This flight takes about 15 hours and 5 minutes. Many non-stop New York JFK flight options are available from Delhi. These flights will take you directly to the venue for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at MetLife Stadium.

Other Competitive options: Use American Airlines and Delta via their hubs. Air Canada via Toronto is also available.

Via Middle East: Several American cities are accessible using airlines based in the Middle East. These include Emirates (DXB), Etihad (AUH), Qatar Airways (DOH), and Gulf Air (BAH). These are generally available from major metros and often transit via 2 points (if you start from non-metropolitan cities).

Via Hong Kong, Japan, Korea: You can also consider a route via Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Seoul. This is especially useful for the West Coast games such as Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Guadalajara. Search across Kolkata, Chennai… to see your desired connections.

Note: There are not a lot of non-stop options for the West Coast games for FIFA 2026. Try and book early for the India-USA World Cup 2026 flights. Utilize several platforms online like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak. Alternatively, visit MakeMyTrip, or go directly to the airline website for the best fares. Fares for June 2026 are already open now – so book early and save.

Best Host Cities for Indian Visitors

Several cities hosting the 2026 World Cup have a sizable Indian/South Asian community. This means you’ll find plenty of Indian restaurants, grocery stores, and cultural connections for a more familiar environment. Top host cities with many desis around:

New York/New Jersey: The NY-NJ area has one of the largest Indian-American populations in the US. The MetLife Stadium will host the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Jackson Heights in Queens is great for Indian goods, groceries and food. For fans from India looking to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Tickets, New York provides a home comfort zone. The city offers lots of vegetarian-only restaurants and more.

Houston: Large South Asian community, especially in the Hillcroft area, with many Indo-Pak restaurants and desi grocery stores.

San Francisco Bay Area: Silicon Valley and surrounding cities host a huge and growing immigrant Indian population. This growth is fueled by the tech boom. Cities like Fremont and Sunnyvale boast entire Indian dining and shopping precincts.

Toronto: Canada’s largest city has a considerable immigrant Indian and South Asian community. Suburbs like Brampton and Scarborough include authentic regional restaurants from all over the subcontinent.

Budget Planning for Indian Fans

A World Cup 2026 trip of 2 weeks from India will likely cost upwards of 4-6 lakh rupees per person. Airfares plus accommodation, food, and match tickets all quickly add up.

World Cup 2026 Tickets range from very low-end seating (US$50+), particularly for group-stage matches. Prices rise into the upper hundreds of dollars for knockout rounds. Attending games which don’t include football powerhouses like Brazil, Argentina, or England lowers the cost.

Budget accommodation is necessary. Stay in Indian-enclave districts like Brampton (Toronto), Artesia (Los Angeles), or Santa Clara (San Francisco). This way, you can find cheap hotels and access home-cooked, Indian-style meals. Hostels or group vacation rentals can work.

Making Memories in North America

Any Indian planning to attend World Cup 2026 will be following in the footsteps of generations of subcontinental football fans. These fans have been traveling to support their teams or home countries. Once in the US, Canada, or Mexico, foreign visitors have a chance not just to attend matches. They can also experience the cities, culture, and leisure in America, Canada, or Mexico between matches. Traveling to all three countries during the 39 days of the tournament is fun. It allows for sightseeing before or after each World Cup 2026 fixture.

Finally, among the best memories for any football fan will be attending the tournament decider. World Cup 2026 Final Tickets at MetLife Stadium will guarantee a seat. It is the crowning event of the next football extravaganza. India is not one of the 48 competing nations at the tournament. Yet, there are still plenty of opportunities for fans from the subcontinent to head to North America. They can cheer for teams representing their adopted countries or simply enjoy the spectacle of the World Cup.