World Cup 2026 in Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium Matches and Fan Guide
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Los Angeles opens the United States’ home World Cup: the US men’s national team plays its first match at SoFi Stadium on 12 June 2026, against Paraguay, the day after the tournament kicks off in Mexico City. SoFi hosts eight matches in all — two USMNT group games, a pair of Round of 32 ties, and a quarter-final on 10 July — making LA one of the tournament’s true centres of gravity.
This guide covers the matches, getting to Inglewood, the Coliseum fan festival, and where to base yourself in a city where location decisions matter more than anywhere else. For the wider city, see our Los Angeles guide and things to do in LA.
LA’s World Cup 2026 match schedule
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 12 June | USA vs Paraguay | Group stage — US opener |
| 15 June | Iran vs New Zealand | Group stage |
| 18 June | Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina | Group stage |
| 21 June | Belgium vs Iran | Group stage |
| 25 June | USA vs Türkiye | Group stage |
| 28 June | Round of 32 | Knockout |
| 2 July | Round of 32 | Knockout |
| 10 July | Quarter-final | Knockout |
Two USMNT matches make SoFi the emotional home of the American campaign. Both are among the most in-demand tickets of the group stage. Kickoff times can shift for broadcast — confirm on FIFA.com.
The stadium: SoFi Stadium (“Los Angeles Stadium”)
FIFA’s “Los Angeles Stadium” is SoFi Stadium in Inglewood — the $5 billion home of the Rams and Chargers, capacity approximately 70,000, under a translucent canopy with open-air sides. Inglewood’s coastal-adjacent climate keeps match conditions a comfortable approximately 24–29°C.
Getting there: SoFi has no on-site rail station, but the connection is manageable:
- Metro K Line to Downtown Inglewood station, then the free match-day shuttle or a 25–30 minute signed walk
- Official shuttles from major Metro hubs on match days — check Metro and host committee announcements
- Driving: parking pre-sells from approximately $60 and the post-match crawl out of Inglewood is legendary — if you drive, linger an hour after full-time
- From LAX, the stadium is only about 4 miles — convenient on arrival/departure days
Arrive 2–3 hours before kickoff; SoFi security screening for capacity crowds is slow.
Fan festival: LA Memorial Coliseum
LA stages its official FIFA Fan Festival inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — the only fan fest in the tournament held in a twice-Olympic stadium (1932 and 1984, with 2028 coming). Matches screen free in Exposition Park alongside food and music programming, with additional neighbourhood fan zones across the county. The Metro E Line to Expo Park/USC station drops you at the gates. On USMNT match days expect the Coliseum itself to draw tens of thousands.
Where to stay
LA punishes bad geography. For World Cup purposes:
- Downtown LA (DTLA) — the transit hub: direct Metro lines toward both Inglewood and Exposition Park, plus the best bar density for match nights. The pragmatic choice.
- Culver City / Westside — closer to SoFi, pleasant, well-connected on the E Line
- Inglewood itself — limited inventory, booked early at elevated rates
- Santa Monica / Venice — fine if you want a beach holiday with football attached; allow a full hour to the stadium
Mid-range LA hotels typically run approximately $180–280 per night, with sharp spikes around 12 and 25 June and 10 July. Our LA hotels guide maps every neighbourhood with price ranges.
Beyond the matches
Rest days in LA take care of themselves: Griffith Observatory (free) for the Hollywood sign view, the Getty Center (free, parking approximately $25), the Santa Monica–Venice beach bike path, and Grand Central Market downtown. Our LA food guide covers the taco-truck-to-fine-dining spectrum — LA’s Mexican food alone justifies extra days, and during a World Cup the city’s Mexican, Salvadoran, and Korean neighbourhoods will be football-mad.
Practical tips
- Clear-bag policy at SoFi; no large bags at the Coliseum fan fest either
- Use “SoFi Stadium” in navigation apps, not “Los Angeles Stadium”
- June gloom is real — overcast coastal mornings, sunny afternoons; evenings cool to approximately 17°C, bring a layer
- LAX during the tournament will be intense — pad all airport timings; see our flights guide
Details correct as of June 2026 — confirm match times at FIFA.com and shuttle plans via Metro before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which World Cup matches are in Los Angeles?
- LA hosts eight matches at SoFi Stadium: USA vs Paraguay (12 June — the US team's opener), Iran vs New Zealand (15 June), Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (18 June), Belgium vs Iran (21 June), USA vs Türkiye (25 June), two Round of 32 matches (28 June and 2 July), and a quarter-final on 10 July 2026.
- How do I get to SoFi Stadium for World Cup matches?
- SoFi is in Inglewood, with no station at the stadium itself. Take the Metro K Line to Downtown Inglewood station, then the free match-day shuttle or a 25–30 minute walk. Official shuttles also run from other Metro hubs. Driving means pre-sold parking from approximately $60 and serious post-match congestion.
- Where is the LA FIFA Fan Festival?
- The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Exposition Park — the historic 1932/1984 Olympic stadium — hosts the official fan festival with free match screenings, plus additional fan zones around the county. The Metro E Line serves Expo Park/USC station directly.
- Is SoFi Stadium covered?
- SoFi has a fixed translucent canopy roof with open sides — shaded but naturally ventilated. Inglewood's June–July weather is mild by tournament standards, typically approximately 24–29°C, so conditions are comfortable for nearly all matches.
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