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Which World Cup Fans Will Pay the Most to Follow Their Team in 2026?

A new report by Doc’s Sports examines which national team supporters will get the most bang for their buck when traveling to see their teams play in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage. By calculating the total cost of following a team through three group stage matches—including hotels, tickets, and intercity travel—we identify where fans get exceptional value and where costs skyrocket.

Key Takeaways

  • United States fans face the highest costs at $3,117, despite being a host nation.
  • The three host countries (USA, Canada, Mexico) average $2,875 in total costs, compared to $1,860 for international teams.
  • South Korea leads the fan value rankings, with total group stage costs of just $1,341 for three matches across two cities, driven by low travel distances (396 miles) and moderate accommodation pricing.

Fan Cost

The Fan Value metric measures the out-of-pocket cost for a supporter to follow their national team through all three group stage matches. This includes accommodation (3 nights), match tickets (Category 3 seating), and intercity travel between host cities. Lower cost equals better value for fans.

Best Fan Value: Top 10 Teams

The visualization below shows the top countries offering the best value for fans attending the 2026 World Cup group stage, with South Korea leading at $1,341 total cost.

Top 10 Best Fan Value

  1. South Korea – $1,341
  2. Netherlands – $1,373
  3. UEFA Path B – $1,383
  4. Curaçao – $1,443
  5. Cape Verde – $1,516
  6. Tunisia – $1,532
  7. IC Path 1 – $1,537
  8. Saudi Arabia – $1,550
  9. Japan – $1,554
  10. Argentina – $1,575

Worst Fan Value: Bottom 10 Teams

The bottom countries carry the highest costs for fans attending the 2026 World Cup group stage, with United States fans facing $3,117 in total costs.

Bottom 10 Worst Fan Value

  1. United States – $3,117
  2. UEFA Path A – $2,978
  3. Canada – $2,947
  4. South Africa – $2,480
  5. Mexico – $2,462
  6. Paraguay – $2,423
  7. Norway – $2,352
  8. England – $2,347
  9. Scotland – $2,273
  10. Senegal – $2,246

Understanding the Costs

The analysis reveals that hotel and ticket costs dominate the total expense, averaging 89% of the total budget ($1,923 average), while intercity travel accounts for just 11% ($218 average). This breakdown means that which cities a team plays in—and their local accommodation markets—matters far more than the distances traveled between venues.

Most Miles Traveled

While travel costs represent only 11% of the total budget on average, the distances teams must cover between host cities vary dramatically—from a compact 242 miles to a grueling 3,132 miles. The geographic spread of 16 host cities across three countries creates vastly different itineraries depending on group stage draw.

Longest Travel Routes

Top 10 teams traveling the furthest distances during the 2026 World Cup group stage, with UEFA Path A winner covering 3,132 miles across three cities:

  1. UEFA Path A – 3,132 miles
  2. Algeria – 2,964 miles
  3. UEFA Path D – 2,812 miles
  4. South Africa – 2,446 miles
  5. IC Path 1 – 2,272 miles
  6. Ecuador – 2,128 miles
  7. Canada – 2,087 miles
  8. Belgium – 2,042 miles
  9. United States – 1,921 miles
  10. Austria – 1,903 miles

Shortest Travel Routes

  1. Egypt – 242 miles
  2. Paraguay – 306 miles
  3. Senegal – 340 miles
  4. Panama – 340 miles
  5. France – 354 miles
  6. Norway – 377 miles
  7. South Korea – 396 miles
  8. Argentina – 454 miles
  9. Mexico – 574 miles
  10. IC Path 2 – 606 miles

Does Distance Traveled Drive Costs?

Distance traveled shows only a weak correlation with total costs, meaning miles don't dictate overall value. Algeria travels 2,964 miles but maintains a below-median total cost of $1,789, while Norway covers just 377 miles yet ranks among the most expensive at $2,352. This reinforces that hotel and ticket pricing in assigned cities matters far more than travel logistics.

Why the Variation?

The 132% cost difference between the cheapest (South Korea, $1,341) and most expensive (United States, $3,117) experiences stems from several factors:

  • Host Nation Premium: American and Canadian fans face higher Category 3 ticket prices. Combined with hotel rates that have surged 50–258% above normal in host cities, domestic fans are priced at a significant premium.
  • Market-Based Pricing: FIFA has implemented dynamic pricing for 2026, meaning ticket costs fluctuate based on demand. Teams with large fan bases or marquee matchups command substantially higher prices than lower-profile group stage games.
  • City Selection: Teams drawn to play in expensive markets like New York/New Jersey, Boston, or Los Angeles face dramatically higher accommodation costs than those playing in Mexico City or Guadalajara, where hotel rooms remain around $60/night during the tournament.
  • Travel Logistics: While travel costs are secondary, teams bouncing between distant cities rack up higher expenses. Canada's group stage route covers 2,087 miles across two cities, while Senegal's compact 340-mile itinerary minimizes transportation spending.

Data by Team

Methodology

This analysis evaluates all 48 teams in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage, calculating standardized costs across three components for a single traveling supporter following their team through three matches.

Cost Components

  • Accommodation: 3 nights of lodging per city based on 3-star hotel rates in host city markets.
  • Match Tickets: Category 3 tickets (most affordable category currently available), priced $140–$1,120 per match.
  • Intercity Travel: Ground transportation between host cities based on the team's group stage schedule (calculated at $0.17/mile for combined flight and ground transport).

Data Sources

  • Group stage schedule and cities: FIFA official 2026 World Cup match schedule, announced December 2025.
  • Hotel pricing: Industry research from CheapHotels.org, Lighthouse Intelligence, and travel package providers showing 2026 tournament rates.
  • Ticket pricing: FIFA Random Selection Draw pricing (December 2025–January 2026) and category definitions.
  • Travel distances: Calculated intercity distances between the 16 host venues across USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Calculation Method

Total Cost = (Hotel nights × nightly rate) + (3 tickets × category price) + (miles traveled × $0.17)

The analysis focuses exclusively on group stage play, as knockout round travel becomes unpredictable and team-dependent. Single-fan costs are reported; families or groups would multiply most expenses accordingly.

Notes

Some teams are still in the qualification stage; that's why placeholders remain in the calendar for the stage group matches.

UEFA Playoff Paths (Winner TBD in March 2026)

  • Path A: Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Path B: Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania
  • Path C: Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo
  • Path D: Denmark, North Macedonia, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland

Intercontinental Playoff Paths (Winner TBD in March 2026)

  • Path 1: DR Congo, Jamaica, New Caledonia
  • Path 2: Iraq, Bolivia, Suriname

Group stage travel costs can vary significantly based on booking timing, accommodation choices, and ticket category. The figures presented represent estimated minimum costs for a budget-conscious fan using Category 3 tickets and mid-range hotels.

Premium hospitality packages for the 2026 World Cup start around $4,500–$5,950 for group stage experiences, with Final packages in New York exceeding $15,000 per person. Hotel rates shown reflect current booking data nine months out from the tournament and are expected to continue rising as the event approaches.

The 2026 tournament represents the first World Cup to use dynamic pricing, meaning these costs could fluctuate significantly based on demand. FIFA expects to generate record revenues between $11–14 billion from the expanded 48-team format.

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