⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 — June 12 to July 10 in LA
World Cup 2026
Los Angeles —
The San Diego
Family Guide
San Diego is just 2 hours from SoFi Stadium. Here's everything San Diego families need to know — the full 8-game LA schedule, how to get there, fan zones, parking, transit, and how the World Cup can inspire your young soccer player.
8 Games
At SoFi Stadium
~2 hrs
San Diego to SoFi
June 12
USA vs. Paraguay — opener
July 10
Quarterfinal in LA
Why Los Angeles
Los Angeles is One of the
Crown Jewels of
World Cup 2026
Los Angeles will host eight matches in World Cup 2026 — including the USA Men's National Team opening match against Paraguay on June 12, 2026. The city has a deep-rooted connection to the global game, shaped by the 1984 Olympic Soccer Tournament, the 1994 FIFA World Cup Final, and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup Final.
Los Angeles Stadium — the official FIFA designation for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — will welcome 70,000 spectators for eight decisive matches, making it one of the most active World Cup venues in the United States. For San Diego families, this is an extraordinary opportunity — a once-in-a-generation event happening in your backyard.
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams and 104 matches — the largest in the tournament's history. And the USMNT opening match against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium is expected to be one of the most electric sporting events in Southern California history. San Diego families who make the drive will be part of something genuinely historic.
LA World Cup 2026 at a Glance
VenueSoFi Stadium, Inglewood
Total LA matches8 games
Capacity70,000 spectators
First LA matchJune 12 — USA vs. Paraguay
Last LA matchJuly 10 — Quarterfinal
From San Diego~2 hours driving
💡 San Diego's unique position
San Diego sits between two World Cup venues — Los Angeles to the north and Mexico City to the south. For the most dedicated fans, both markets are within striking distance. The LA games are uniquely accessible for a day or weekend trip.
Complete LA Schedule
All 8 World Cup 2026 Games
at SoFi Stadium —
Full Schedule
Plan your trip around these dates. The USA matches on June 12 and June 25 are expected to sell out far in advance.
| Date | Match | Stage | Notes for SD Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, June 12 | 🇺🇸 USA vs. Paraguay 🇵🇾 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT |
Group Stage USA Match |
USMNT opener — the most anticipated game in LA. Leave SD by 1pm for a 6pm PT kickoff if driving. Amtrak strongly recommended. |
| Mon, June 15 | 🇮🇷 Iran vs. New Zealand 🇳🇿 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT |
Group Stage | Weekday evening — plan to stay overnight in LA or be prepared for a late return drive to SD. |
| Thu, June 18 | 🇨🇭 Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina 🇧🇦 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT |
Group Stage | Midday kickoff — great for families with kids. Arrive in LA by 10am, explore before the game, reasonable return time. |
| Sun, June 21 | 🇧🇪 Belgium vs. Iran 🇮🇷 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT |
Group Stage | Sunday afternoon — perfect day trip from San Diego. Belgium is a strong team and this is a quality group stage game. |
| Thu, June 25 | 🇺🇸 USA vs. Türkiye 🇹🇷 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT |
Group Stage USA Match |
Late weekday kickoff — this one calls for a LA overnight stay. High stakes USA match; expect maximum energy at SoFi. |
| Sun, June 28 | 🔮 Round of 32 — TBD Time TBD by bracket |
Round of 32 | Knockout soccer — any team could be here. High stakes guaranteed regardless of opponent. |
| Thu, July 2 | 🔮 Round of 32 — TBD Time TBD by bracket |
Round of 32 | Second knockout match at SoFi — check the bracket for team matchups once group stage concludes. |
| Fri, July 10 | 🏆 Quarterfinal — TBD Time TBD by bracket |
Quarterfinal | The biggest match at SoFi. Four teams left in the world. A chance at a final. If USA advances, this is a must-attend historic moment. |
🎟️ Tickets
Official tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA.com/tickets. For resale, check Ticketmaster and StubHub — only buy from verified sellers. Hospitality packages (tickets included) are available through On Location at FIFA.com/hospitality. ElevatePlay AI does not sell or facilitate ticket purchases.
Getting There from San Diego
How to Get from San Diego
to SoFi Stadium for
World Cup 2026
SoFi Stadium is approximately 110 miles from downtown San Diego. Here are your best options — and the one we recommend for match days.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
⭐ RECOMMENDED FOR MATCH DAYS
From Santa Fe Depot in San Diego, Amtrak trains run regularly to LA Union Station — from there, connect to the Metro to reach the stadium area, with a free shuttle running 3 hours before kickoff. No traffic. No parking. No stress. You can have a drink, enjoy the journey, and arrive fresh for the biggest games. Round trip runs approximately $30–$60 depending on timing. Book in advance — trains fill up on match days.
💡 Book Amtrak tickets weeks ahead for June 12 (USA vs. Paraguay) — these will sell out fast.
Driving from San Diego
~1h 45m to 2h 30m — more on match days
Take I-5 North to the I-405 North, then exit at Manchester Blvd or Century Blvd for SoFi Stadium. Primary access follows the 405 freeway (Manchester or Century Blvd exits) and the 105 freeway (Prairie or Crenshaw exits). Reserve parking in advance due to high demand. For evening games, expect heavy traffic. Leave San Diego at least 4 hours before kickoff for popular USA matches.
💡 Park-and-ride at a Metro station and take the shuttle — far less stressful than stadium parking.
Metro from Amtrak / Hotel
Metro C Line or K Line → Free Shuttle
Take the Metro C Line or the K Line to the LAX/Metro Transit Center station. From there, a free shuttle service runs directly to the stadium starting three hours before each match. The nearest Metro stop is Downtown Inglewood on the K Line. If you're staying in Santa Monica or other transit-accessible LA neighborhoods, Metro is the easiest stadium option.
💡 Load your TAP card (LA Metro card) in advance at taptogo.net to avoid station lines.
Stay the Night in LA
Best option for evening USA matches
For the June 12 (6pm PT) and June 25 (7pm PT) USA matches, staying overnight in LA is the most comfortable option. Santa Monica is packed with restaurants, hotels, and landmarks, and has access to the Metro E Line and a shuttle to the stadium. Downtown LA, Inglewood, and the LAX corridor all have options. Book hotels months in advance — inventory around match dates is extremely limited.
💡 Check hotel availability immediately — June 12 and June 25 rooms in LA are already scarce.
Fan Zones & Watch Parties
World Cup 2026 Fan Zones
in LA — Don't Have Tickets?
Still Be Part of It
Can't get into SoFi? The fan experience extends far beyond the stadium. Here's where to watch with thousands of fans across LA.
FIFA Fan Festival — LA Memorial Coliseum
June 11–14, 2026 · Ticketed event
The FIFA Fan Festival will transform the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum into a global celebration of football, culture, and community during the opening days of the tournament. Live match viewing, entertainment, and immersive experiences. Tickets are separate from match tickets — check FIFA.com for Fan Festival ticketing.
LA County Fan Zones — Rotating Locations
June 18 through July 19 · Multiple venues
A rotating slate of fan zones across LA County includes the Original Farmers Market (June 18–21), Union Station (June 25–28), Hansen Dam Lake (July 2–5), Earvin "Magic" Johnson Park (July 4–5), Whittier Narrows (July 9–11), Venice Beach (July 11), Fairplex (July 14–19), West Harbor (July 14–19), and Downtown Burbank (July 18–19). Free or low-cost entry — check the LA World Cup Host Committee at losangelesfwc26.com for the latest details.
San Diego Watch Parties
June 12 – July 19 · All 64 group stage matches broadcast
Can't make the drive to LA? San Diego has a passionate soccer community that will transform bars, breweries, and public spaces into watch party venues for every World Cup match. Fox Sports and Telemundo broadcast all games in the US. Check local San Diego event listings in June for specific watch party venues — spots like Barleymash, Aero Club, and soccer bars across North Park and Mission Hills typically host major World Cup viewing events.
Match Day Tips
Tips for San Diego Families
Attending World Cup
Matches in LA
01
Book the Amtrak First — Before Hotels or Anything Else
The Pacific Surfliner from San Diego Santa Fe Depot to LA Union Station is the single smartest transportation decision for match days. Trains for June 12 and June 25 will fill weeks in advance. Go to amtrak.com right now, find the morning train arriving in LA 3–4 hours before kickoff, and book it. This eliminates traffic, parking, and DUI risk on the return trip in one move.
02
Check FIFA's Stadium Bag Policy Before You Pack
FIFA has strict bag and item restrictions for World Cup venues — many standard items are prohibited. World Cup 2026 fans may need to rethink what they carry after FIFA unveiled tough new stadium restrictions. Check the official bag policy at FIFA.com before packing for any match. Clear bags are generally required. Bringing prohibited items means leaving them at the gate — a frustrating experience for families who drove 2 hours.
03
The June 18 Switzerland vs. Bosnia Game Is the Hidden Gem
The two USA games will be the most expensive and hardest to get to comfortably. The June 18 match (Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina) is a midday Saturday kickoff with a passionate European fan base — exceptional atmosphere, more reasonable ticket prices, and a family-friendly 12pm PT start that allows a comfortable day trip from San Diego with an early evening return home.
04
Bring Your Young Soccer Player — This is a Transformative Experience
70,000 fans. The world's best players. The biggest stage in soccer. Children who attend a World Cup match often cite it as the moment they fell in love with soccer — or deepened their passion for it. If you have a child who plays, attending any game in LA this summer is a gift that will shape their relationship with the sport for years. Pack the flags, wear the jerseys, and let them feel the magic of the world's game.
05
The Quarterfinal on July 10 Could Be the Biggest Game
The July 10 match is the highest-ranked game at SoFi Stadium — a quarterfinal, meaning four teams left in the world are competing with a semifinal berth on the line. If the USA advances from their group, there is a possibility the USMNT could appear in the July 10 quarterfinal at SoFi. That game could be the most significant USMNT match played in Southern California in decades. Watch the bracket carefully.
The World Cup Inspired
Your Child. Now Find
Their Local Team.
The biggest soccer event in history is happening in your backyard. When your child comes home inspired — ElevatePlay AI finds the best youth soccer programs near your San Diego zip code in under 60 seconds.
⚽ Find Youth Soccer Programs Near Me →Free to search · $2.99 unlocks all 8 results · San Diego County
Common Questions
World Cup 2026 Los Angeles — FAQ
How far is San Diego from SoFi Stadium for World Cup 2026?
+
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood is approximately 110 miles from downtown San Diego — typically 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes without traffic. On match days, especially for the evening USA games on June 12 and June 25, traffic on I-5 and I-405 can add 30–60 minutes each way. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Diego Santa Fe Depot to LA Union Station with Metro connection is the recommended alternative — it avoids traffic entirely and allows you to enjoy the match experience without a stressful drive home late at night.
What games are at SoFi Stadium for the 2026 World Cup?
+
SoFi Stadium is hosting 8 matches: June 12 (USA vs. Paraguay), June 15 (Iran vs. New Zealand), June 18 (Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina), June 21 (Belgium vs. Iran), June 25 (USA vs. Turkey), June 28 (Round of 32), July 2 (Round of 32), and July 10 (Quarterfinal). The USMNT opening match on June 12 and the USA vs. Turkey match on June 25 are the most anticipated games at the venue.
How do I get from San Diego to SoFi Stadium?
+
The recommended option for match days is Amtrak Pacific Surfliner from San Diego Santa Fe Depot to LA Union Station, then the Metro K Line or C Line to the stadium area and a free shuttle to SoFi (runs starting 3 hours before kickoff). For driving: I-5 North to I-405 North, exit Manchester Blvd or Century Blvd. Reserve parking in advance. For USA matches, driving is significantly more stressful due to traffic volume — Amtrak is strongly preferred for June 12 and June 25.
Are there World Cup 2026 fan zones in or near San Diego?
+
The official FIFA Fan Festival is at the LA Memorial Coliseum (June 11–14). LA County fan zones rotate through multiple locations including Original Farmers Market, Union Station, Hansen Dam Lake, Venice Beach, and others through July. San Diego itself will have watch party events at local bars and breweries for all World Cup matches — Fox Sports and Telemundo broadcast all games in the US. Check local event listings for San Diego-specific viewing events in June 2026.
How do I get World Cup 2026 tickets for Los Angeles?
+
Official tickets are sold exclusively through FIFA.com/tickets. A Random Selection Draw (lottery) was the primary sales mechanism for most of 2025 and early 2026. Hospitality packages including tickets are available through On Location at FIFA.com/hospitality. For secondary market tickets, check Ticketmaster and StubHub — only buy from verified sellers to avoid scams. ElevatePlay AI does not sell, resell, or facilitate ticket purchases for any events.
The World Cup Effect
World Cup 2026 Will Inspire
a Generation of San Diego
Soccer Players
Every World Cup creates a wave of children who see the world's best players and decide they want to play. In 1994, when the World Cup last came to the US, enrollment in youth soccer programs surged across the country in the months and years that followed. 2026 will be even bigger — the first 48-team World Cup, played in the USA, with games happening 2 hours from San Diego.
If your child watches a World Cup match this summer — whether at SoFi or on a screen — and comes home wanting to play, the next step is finding a program near you. ElevatePlay AI finds every youth soccer program in San Diego County near your zip code — recreational leagues for beginners, competitive clubs for experienced players, and everything in between.