10 things to know when attending the World Cup in the US

Los Angeles, California – The United States, land of Donald Trump, baseball, gun violence and endless freeways, has now become co-host of the biggest football tournament on the planet.

The World Cup got off to a good start for the US team as they beat Paraguay 4-1 in Los Angeles on Friday. The result sparked a lively celebration at home, though there were still noticeable empty seats.

Before kickoff at SoFi Stadium, there were concerns about organisation and logistics, but Friday’s match generally went smoothly.

The US, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, will stage 78 of the 104 World Cup matches this year.

Here are some observations and tips for fans after the first match on US soil in Los Angeles:

Invest in a clear bag: Any bag larger than a wallet will not be allowed into the stadium unless it is transparent. So if you are going to a match in the US, leave your handbag or backpack at home and buy a clear bag if needed.

Prepare for airport-style security: The procedure is fairly standard. Empty your pockets, place your clear bag in the scanner and be ready for additional checks if the security gate beeps.

Food and drink prices are sky-high: $5.25 for a bottle of water… $5.75 for a small bag of chips… Up to $21.50 for a beer. Expect to pay at least double normal prices for food and drink inside the stadium.

Download the ticket app: Gate staff will not accept any alternative to the FIFA app, FWC2026, to verify your ticket. You can add tickets from the app to your digital wallet before the match, but screenshots and printouts will not work, so make sure your phone is fully charged.

Traffic is real: Most parts of the US lack reliable public transport, so driving is the default mode of travel.

Many US host cities are trying to make it easier for fans to reach stadiums without a car. For example, Los Angeles ran shuttle buses to SoFi Stadium from downtown transit hubs. However, there was still traffic congestion around the match venue on Friday. Jams lasted for hours after the game.

Plan to arrive early. Also check local media and city government social media pages for the best way to get to the stadium, especially if you do not want to get stuck in seemingly endless traffic.

Plentiful staff and volunteers: To head off potential problems, US organisers have deployed extra personnel for the matches. There were hundreds if not thousands of workers and volunteers directing and assisting the crowd at the opening match in Los Angeles. Do not hesitate to ask them for directions or help.

Law enforcement everywhere: Generally, US police are considered more militarised than their Western counterparts. At the World Cup, their presence has been increased exponentially. Heavily armed officers from multiple agencies are stationed around the stadium.

Do not panic if you see a 20-year-old with a large automatic rifle and tactical gear at your next World Cup match. That is America.

Do not pet the sniffer dogs: Speaking of police, many officers are accompanied by sniffer dogs that may look cute and harmless, but do not try to pet them. The officers will not appreciate it.

Be prepared for commercial culture: Take the ongoing commercialisation of football, and add American capitalism. What you get is what is happening at this World Cup: everything is sponsored.

Corporations – from soft-drink brands to banks and carmakers – have a significant presence around the stadium with promotional booths and product sales.

Do not expect much from the area around the stadium: Many football stadiums around the world are built in city centres. They are surrounded by restaurants, cultural venues and lively communities right outside the gates. That is not the case in the US.

With abundant land, a dominant car culture and the sprawling nature of US cities, many stadiums are located relatively far from downtown and detached from urban hustle and bustle. Depending on where your World Cup match is, do not expect the stadium area to offer anything beyond football.