Opening match 11 June at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City · Final 19 July at MetLife Stadium, NY/NJ · 48 teams, 104 matches across USA, Canada and Mexico — everything Thai travelers need before booking.
Group stage runs in parallel across all three countries · From the Round of 32 onward, matches consolidate primarily in the USA · Semifinals and the Final are all in the US.
USA hosts 11 cities · Canada 2 · Mexico 3 · Click a tab to filter by country and see stadium info, match count and hotels near each venue.
Good news — Mexico has the easiest visa for Thai travelers (~$48 in 1-2 weeks, or free if you already hold a US/Schengen visa). Bad news — the US B1/B2 interview wait at the Bangkok embassy is currently 8-12 months. If you're going to the US, apply immediately.
Two paths: (A) if you hold a valid US/Canada/UK/Schengen/Japan visa, you're exempt — just enter on the FMM at the airport (180 days). (B) If not, apply for a Mexican tourist visa at the Embassy in Bangkok (~$48 USD, 5-15 working days). Both paths fill out the FMM at the airport — keep the stub with you until departure.
Full details →Thai citizens must apply for a Visitor Visa (TRV) — not eligible for eTA. Submit via IRCC online + Biometrics at VFS Global Bangkok. Apply at least 3 months before travel.
Full details →Start your application now if you plan to attend — the Bangkok embassy interview wait is long. If you hold a valid B1/B2 visa, use it. Complete DS-160 online first, then schedule interview at ustraveldocs.com/th
Full details →Honest take — for most Thai travelers, Mexico is the best value: easier visa than the US ($48 in 1-2 weeks, or free with US/Schengen), opening match, lowest cost. USA has the most matches (and the final) but visa is hard. Canada sits in the middle.
Easier visa than the US (~$48 in 1-2 weeks, or free if you hold a US/Schengen visa). Historic opening match at Estadio Azteca. Lowest costs across the board. Pure football fever atmosphere.
Easier visa than USA. Mid-range cost. Clean, safe cities. Matches through Round of 32.
Most matches including final and semifinals. Highest costs. Visa wait is long — apply immediately.
Per-person breakdown for a 5-day football trip with 1 match. Hotel prices during World Cup are calculated as current rates +200-400%.
| Category | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇺🇸 USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flights (round-trip, transit) | 35,000 – 50,000฿ | 45,000 – 65,000฿ | 40,000 – 65,000฿ |
| 🏨 Hotel 4 nights (3-4★) | 12,000 – 25,000฿ | 28,000 – 45,000฿ | 35,000 – 70,000฿ |
| 🎟️ Match ticket (1 group game) | 2,500 – 8,500฿ | 4,500 – 12,000฿ | 5,500 – 15,000฿ |
| 🍽️ Food 5 days | 5,000 – 9,000฿ | 10,000 – 16,000฿ | 12,000 – 20,000฿ |
| 🚇 Local transport | 1,500 – 3,000฿ | 3,000 – 5,500฿ | 3,500 – 6,500฿ |
| 🛂 Visa + insurance | 1,500฿ (insurance only) | 4,200฿ (visa + insurance) | 8,300฿ (visa + insurance) |
| 🛒 Misc + buffer | 3,000 – 5,000฿ | 5,000 – 8,000฿ | 7,000 – 12,000฿ |
| TOTAL | 60,500 – 101,500฿ | 99,700 – 155,500฿ | 111,300 – 196,800฿ |
Hotels within 10 km of World Cup stadiums rise 3-5x on match days. Book now before peak pricing kicks in.
World-class hotel in Polanco · 35 min to Estadio Azteca · shuttle on match days
Closest to MetLife Stadium · 25 min walk / free shuttle · ideal for the 19 Jul final
Downtown · 5 min walk to BC Place · SkyTrain access everywhere · best location-price ratio
Downtown near Union Station · 15 min to BMO Field via TTC · best Toronto value
Near LAX and SoFi Stadium · 15 min drive · free shuttle + Crenshaw Line
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USA and Canada require an advance visa for Thai citizens — neither offers ESTA/eTA to Thai passport holders. Mexico is the easiest and cheapest: if you hold a valid US/Canada/UK/Schengen/Japan visa, you're exempt and enter on the FMM (180 days). Otherwise, apply for a Mexican tourist visa at the Embassy in Bangkok (~$48 USD, 5-15 working days). Either path is far faster and cheaper than the US visa ($185 / 8-12 month wait).
Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey) — hotels, food and transport cost 40-60% less than USA or Canada. A 5-day trip starts at 60,000-90,000 THB vs 120,000-200,000 THB for USA.
Hotels within 10 km of stadiums rise 3-5x on match days. Properties 15-20 km away or in neighboring cities rise only 30-80%. Book at least 6 months ahead. MetLife final is especially expensive — book now.
FIFA Ticketing Portal (fifa.com/tickets) is the only official channel. Multiple sales phases — group stage USD 60-300, final USD 700-6,700 in Category 1-4. Beware fake tickets and resale markets.
US B1/B2 visa interview wait at the Bangkok embassy is currently 8-12 months. Apply immediately if you plan to attend. If you already hold a valid B1/B2, use that. Submit DS-160 + USD 185 fee at ustraveldocs.com/th.
No direct flights from Bangkok to USA, Canada or Mexico — transit via Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong or Doha · 22-30 hours total · popular airlines: EVA Air, JAL, Korean Air, Cathay, Qatar.
English works in hotels, airports and tourist areas only. Markets, taxis and local restaurants speak Spanish primarily. Download Google Translate offline Spanish pack and use Uber/Didi instead of street taxis.
Worth it if you love World Cup atmosphere — 48 teams and 104 matches mean quality football daily. Pick the country where teams you support are playing. Check fifa.com schedule before deciding.
Start by picking a country → Book hotels now before prices peak → Apply for visa immediately if USA/Canada. City-specific guides coming next.
Pick a host city →