Complete Guide to the World Cup in Los Angeles
If you're in Los Angeles or traveling to Southern California for the FIFA World Cup, here's everything you should know before match day. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will host eight World Cup matches, including five group-stage games, two Round of 32 matches, and a quarterfinal. Los Angeles is one of only a handful of cities hosting a quarterfinal and is the only host city guaranteed to stage two United States group-stage matches.
While Los Angeles didn't land some of the tournament's biggest international powers such as Brazil, Argentina, England, or France, it did receive the host nation, Belgium, and one of the most important knockout-round matches in the entire tournament. Combined with Southern California's diverse international communities and ideal summer weather, Los Angeles should be one of the World Cup's premier destinations.
Los Angeles World Cup Games
June 12 - Group D: United States vs. Paraguay
Los Angeles opens its World Cup schedule with one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage. The United States begins its tournament in front of what should be a heavily pro-American crowd at SoFi Stadium. Paraguay has a long World Cup history and consistently fields competitive teams capable of causing problems for traditional powers. With the host nation involved, this is expected to be one of the most sought-after tickets in Southern California.
June 15 - Group G: Iran vs. New Zealand
This matchup may not attract the same attention as the United States games, but it could be one of the most competitive contests hosted in Los Angeles. Iran has become one of Asia's most consistent World Cup participants, while New Zealand returns to the sport's biggest stage looking to make a statement. Fans seeking a World Cup experience without premium pricing may find strong value in this fixture.
June 18 - Group B: Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Switzerland has established itself as one of Europe's most reliable tournament teams, regularly advancing beyond the group stage at major international competitions. Bosnia-Herzegovina enters the tournament hoping to make a deep run and will likely receive strong support from Southern California's large Balkan community. While not one of the headline matches of the tournament, this game could feature some of the highest-quality football of the group stage.
June 21 - Group G: Belgium vs. Iran
Belgium's appearance is arguably the biggest international draw on Los Angeles' schedule outside of the United States. The Belgian national team remains one of Europe's strongest programs and consistently enters major tournaments with championship aspirations. Combined with passionate Iranian support, this matchup should create one of the best atmospheres of the group stage at SoFi Stadium.
June 25 - Group D: Turkiye vs. United States
The United States returns to Los Angeles for what could be its most important group-stage match. Depending on earlier results, advancement to the knockout rounds may be on the line. Turkish supporters are known throughout world football for creating loud, energetic environments, and the combination of traveling fans and American supporters should make this one of the most memorable games hosted in Southern California.
June 28 - Round of 32: 2A vs. 2B
Los Angeles begins its knockout-round schedule with a Round of 32 matchup featuring the runners-up from Groups A and B. While the participants won't be known until late June, the match could feature teams such as Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, South Korea, or the host nation of Group A. Knockout-round football brings a completely different level of intensity, as the losing team is immediately eliminated from the tournament.
July 2 - Round of 32: 1H vs. 2J
This match has the potential to become one of Los Angeles' most intriguing knockout-round fixtures. Group H includes Spain and Uruguay, while Group J features Argentina. Depending on the final standings, SoFi Stadium could host one of the tournament favorites in a high-stakes elimination game. Ticket demand for this matchup could rise dramatically once the bracket is finalized.
July 10 - Quarterfinal: W93 vs. W94
The quarterfinal is Los Angeles' marquee World Cup event and one of the most valuable tickets in the tournament. Only eight teams remain at this stage, and every match carries enormous significance. With a place in the semifinals on the line, SoFi Stadium will host one of the final seven matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For many fans, this will be the ultimate World Cup experience available in Southern California.
SoFi Stadium Information
SoFi Stadium is one of the most technologically advanced sports venues in the world and will serve as one of the centerpiece stadiums of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Opened in 2020, the venue is home to both the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers and can accommodate more than 70,000 spectators for major international events.
How to Get to the Stadium
SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, just a few miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Fans staying throughout the Los Angeles area should plan extra travel time on match days, as traffic around the stadium is expected to be substantial before and after every World Cup game.
Public transportation, rideshare services, and shuttle programs are expected to be popular options. Fans driving to the stadium should purchase parking in advance whenever possible and expect significant delays following the conclusion of matches.
Bag Policy
SoFi Stadium enforces a clear bag policy. Approved clear bags may not exceed 12" x 6" x 12". One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags are also permitted. Small clutch bags measuring 4.5" x 6.5" or smaller are allowed and do not need to be clear.
Backpacks, oversized purses, luggage, and most non-approved bags are prohibited. Fans should strongly consider attending without a bag whenever possible to speed up entry.
Cashless Venue
SoFi Stadium operates as a cashless venue. Concessions, merchandise stands, and most purchases inside the stadium require a credit card, debit card, or mobile payment method. World Cup tickets are also expected to be mobile-only, making it important to download tickets before arriving.
Arrive Early
World Cup security screening will likely exceed what fans experience during a typical NFL game. Guests should plan to arrive at least 60 to 90 minutes before kickoff, particularly for United States matches and the July 10 quarterfinal. Early arrival also allows time to navigate transportation delays, security checkpoints, and large crowds around the stadium.
Best World Cup Matches in Los Angeles
Los Angeles may not have landed as many global powers as some other host cities, but SoFi Stadium still received several highly desirable matches. The most anticipated games are expected to be:
- United States vs. Paraguay (June 12)
- Turkiye vs. United States (June 25)
- Belgium vs. Iran (June 21)
- Quarterfinal (July 10)
The two United States matches will likely command the highest demand during the group stage. Host-nation games have consistently been among the most sought-after tickets at every World Cup, and SoFi Stadium is one of only two venues hosting multiple U.S. group-stage matches.
Belgium vs. Iran should offer one of the strongest international atmospheres of the tournament in Los Angeles, while the July 10 quarterfinal will almost certainly become the city's most expensive and prestigious World Cup ticket.
If you're only attending one World Cup match in Southern California, the quarterfinal represents the highest level of football available in Los Angeles. However, fans seeking the full host-nation experience should prioritize one of the United States matches, particularly the tournament opener against Paraguay on June 12.