With them in mind, Polish diplomatic and consular posts in the USA have prepared a “Fan’s Guide” – a practical guide worth downloading and saving on your phone before heading to the stadium.
What you’ll find in the guide
The publication has gathered in one place information that is truly important for a fan traveling to matches spread across the continent. The document includes an overview of host cities and match locations, entry rules for each of the three tournament-hosting countries, as well as safety, health, and insurance issues. Separate sections are dedicated to ticket purchase and verification, and contact details for Polish consulates in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The guide also explains what assistance a Polish citizen can expect from a consular post should problems arise during their trip.
Tickets only from an official source
One point deserves special emphasis, as it is subject to the most abuses. FIFA has repeatedly warned that the only official channel for selling World Cup tickets is FIFA.com/tickets. Many unauthorized websites offering tickets, often fake or overpriced, have appeared online – especially in the USA and Mexico. The rule is simple: a ticket purchased outside the official channel carries the risk of losing money and being denied entry to the stadium. The consular guide draws attention to ticket verification precisely so that Polish fans do not fall victim to fraud.
Practical details that make a difference
It is worth remembering the specifics of American logistics, which can surprise a fan accustomed to European realities. Matches are played in American football league stadiums, usually located outside city centers and surrounded by extensive parking lots, and public transport in many American agglomerations is poorly developed. Getting to a match can therefore be a logistical challenge that is best planned in advance. Added to this are the June and July heat in the southern states – in Houston, Dallas, or Miami – during which water, headwear, and sun protection cease to be a whim and become a necessity.
The World Cup that Poland watches from the sidelines
There is a bitter note for Polish fans in this year’s tournament. The Polish national team did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup – for the first time in twelve years, the white-and-reds will be absent from the most important football event in the world. Qualification was decided by a lost play-off final against Sweden at the end of March. The paradox is that the World Cup is taking place right on the doorstep of the American Polonia – the final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, less than an hour’s drive from Polish neighborhoods in New York. Polonia fans will therefore celebrate football at home, but without their own team on the field. For many, this means a season of cheering for neighbors from the region – such as the Czechs, who qualified for the tournament.
Where to find the guide
The full “FIFA 2026 Fan’s Guide” in PDF format is available for free on the official website of Polish posts in the USA, on gov.pl. The consulate encourages downloading and saving it on your phone before traveling, so that you have access to it even without an internet connection.
World Cup 2026 – cheer safely
- When and where: June 11 – July 19, 2026, USA, Canada, and Mexico; final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- Tickets: exclusively through the official channel FIFA.com/tickets. Avoid unauthorized websites – risk of fake tickets.
- Guide: “FIFA 2026 Fan’s Guide” available for download at gov.pl/web/usa (Poland in USA website). Contains contact details for consulates and scope of consular assistance.
Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York. Information material for Polish fans. More information for Polonia in the USA: poland.us. Polonia business, institution, and service directory: PolishPages.com.
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