France play all 3 of their 2026 World Cup group-stage matches on the US East Coast. Match 1: France vs Senegal on 16 June at MetLife Stadium (New York), 20:00 BST. Match 2: France vs Iraq on 22 June in Philadelphia, 22:00 BST. Match 3: Norway vs France on 26 June at Gillette Stadium (Boston), 20:00 BST. All three cities are connected by the Amtrak Northeast Corridor — a 10-day road trip, estimated budget around £3,800 per person. Start at FIFA.com/tickets for official tickets.
Three matches, three iconic cities, one train: the 2026 World Cup schedule is a gift for Les Bleus supporters — and British fans who follow France. While Argentine or Brazilian fans must cross an entire continent to follow their teams, supporters making the trip for France have a unique opportunity: New York, Philadelphia, Boston — all on the same rail line, less than 5 hours apart. This is the most accessible World Cup in history for anyone wanting to attend all three group games live.
Didier Deschamps is experiencing his final tournament as France manager after 14 years at the helm. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé — 2025 Ballon d’Or winner — carry the hopes of a third World Cup star. Facing them: Senegal with Sadio Mané, Iraq returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1986, and a formidable Norway led by Erling Haaland. Group I promises unmissable evenings. This guide gives you everything you need to be there in the stands.
Les Bleus have made Boston their base camp for the entire tournament — staying at the Four Seasons Boston, with training sessions at Bentley University in Waltham MA. This detail makes the third match even more special: there’s a real chance of spotting the French delegation in the city before kick-off.
Match 1 — France vs Senegal, 16 June at MetLife Stadium (New York)
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford NJ — 16 June 2026, 20:00 BST (21:00 CET)
MetLife Stadium opens the tournament with the France vs Senegal fixture, as per the official FIFA schedule. This same stadium will host the final on 19 July — meaning Les Bleus play on the pitch of the ultimate showpiece right from their opening match. Home to the Giants and Jets, the stadium has been partially reconfigured for the World Cup: 1,740 corner seats replaced with natural turf, bringing the football capacity to 78,576. Senegal arrive with a formidable squad — Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Nicolas Jackson — but France are clear favourites.
New York has one of the largest Senegalese communities in the United States, concentrated in Harlem and the Bronx. The atmosphere around the stadium and in the fan zones promises to be electric, with passionate supporters from both nations in equal numbers.
Getting to the stadium
- NJ Transit train: Penn Station NYC → Secaucus Junction → Meadowlands shuttle. Return ticket: $98 (reduced from $150 following pressure from 69 Congress members, announced by Governor Sherrill, 12 May 2026). Maximum 40,000 tickets per match — buy on the NJ Transit app.
- Bus 351 Meadowlands Express: from Port Authority Bus Terminal (Midtown NYC) — $20 return (reduced from $80). Journey time: 45–60 min.
- No stadium parking: no car park spaces for spectators. American Dream Mall next door: $225 with advance booking required.
Where to stay in New York
Most travelling fans base themselves in Manhattan to make the most of the city before and after the match. The Hell’s Kitchen and Port Authority areas (Midtown West) offer the best access to Penn Station for reaching MetLife. To save 30–40% on accommodation, Jersey City Waterfront or Hoboken (NJ) provide direct PATH train access into Manhattan. June 2026 price ranges: $200–400/night budget, $400–700/night mid-range.
Fan zones and supporters’ bars in NYC
- Queens Group Stage HQ — USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (11–27 June, 10,000 capacity, registration required at nynjfwc26.com)
- Brooklyn Fan Zone — Emily Roebling Plaza, Brooklyn Bridge Park (13 June–19 July)
- Legends / Football Factory — 6 W 33rd St, opposite the Empire State Building — the main hub for France supporters’ clubs in NYC
- Smithfield Hall — 138 W 25th St — a Manhattan institution for international football matches
Match 2 — France vs Iraq, 22 June at Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia PA — 22 June 2026, 22:00 BST (23:00 CET)
France vs Iraq is a historic fixture on two counts: for Les Bleus, it is the match to seal qualification; for Iraq, it marks a return to the World Cup after 40 years’ absence — their last appearance was Mexico 1986. According to Al Jazeera, the Lions of Mesopotamia earned their place through the intercontinental play-offs on 31 March 2026, beating Bolivia 2-1 in Monterrey thanks to goals from Ali Al-Hamadi and Aymen Hussein. Manager Graham Arnold — the Australian who took the Socceroos to the 2022 World Cup — pulled off an achievement few had anticipated.
The stadium, renamed « Philadelphia Stadium » for the duration of the tournament (FIFA commercial neutrality rules), has just completed a $100m renovation finalised in March 2026: new luxury suites, redesigned stands, capacity raised to 69,000. According to CBS News Philadelphia, it sits in South Philly’s sports complex, just 15 minutes from Center City.
Getting from New York to Philadelphia
- Amtrak Northeast Regional: NYC Penn Station → Philadelphia 30th Street Station — 1h15–1h30, from $50–90 (advance booking essential on amtrak.com — World Cup trains sell out fast).
- Amtrak Acela (high-speed): ~1h, $120–200 depending on availability — premium comfort but limited time saving over this distance.
- FlixBus/Greyhound: 2h30–3h, $15–35 — budget option if Amtrak is sold out.
Getting to the stadium from Philly
- SEPTA Broad Street Line → NRG station (southern terminus): $2.90 per journey, ~15 min from Center City.
- Free return journey: Airbnb partnership — return on SEPTA Broad Street Line is complimentary from half-time until 2 hours after the final whistle, according to CBS Philadelphia.
Where to stay in Philadelphia
Center City (Rittenhouse Square and Midtown Village) is the ideal base: direct stadium access by metro (15 min), bars along Walnut Street, and a wide choice of restaurants. June 2026 price ranges: $100–200/night budget (South Philly motels or chain hotels), $200–350/night mid-range (Sheraton, Marriott, Loews Center City). Philadelphia is one of the World Cup host cities with the most hotel availability — prices have remained reasonable compared to initial forecasts.
Philadelphia’s fan zone — unique in the USA
The FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill (East Fairmount Park) is the only American fan zone running for the full 39 days of the tournament (11 June–19 July). 15,000–20,000 spectators per match day, 75+ food trucks, live concerts. Registration required at phillyfwc26.com. Free entry.
Match 3 — Norway vs France, 26 June at Gillette Stadium (Boston)
Gillette Stadium (« Boston Stadium »), Foxborough MA — 26 June 2026, 20:00 BST (21:00 CET)
The qualification decider — or potential banana skin. Norway, led by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, is the real test in Group I. According to FourFourTwo, the Vikings qualified with 8 wins from 8 matches, scoring 37 goals including a 4-1 win in Italy. Haaland, Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth, Antonio Nusa — Norway’s squad is fearsome. France cannot afford any slip-ups, especially with parallel results (Senegal vs Iraq in Toronto) potentially affecting the picture.
The stadium, renamed « Boston Stadium » for the World Cup and renovated to the tune of $250m in 2023 (including the 22-storey « Lighthouse » with 360° observation deck), sits 35 km south of Boston in Foxborough — home of the New England Patriots. According to CBS Boston, MBTA train tickets for this match sold 11,000 in 10 minutes when they went on sale, breaking even the Taylor Swift 2024 record.
Getting from Philadelphia to Boston
- Amtrak Northeast Regional: Philadelphia → Boston South Station — 3h30–4h, $100–200 depending on class and date. Book early on amtrak.com — World Cup trains will sell out from May 2026 onwards.
- Amtrak Acela: ~3h, higher fares — limited time saving for this leg.
Getting to the stadium from Boston
- MBTA « Boston Stadium Train »: South Station (Boston) → Foxboro Station (100 m from the ground), non-stop, ~60 min, $80 return. 14 outbound trains per match, return services from 30 min after the final whistle. Tickets via mTicket app — reserved for match ticket holders.
- Getting to South Station from central Boston: Red Line or Green Line MBTA metro (a few stops).
France’s Boston base camp — an exclusive angle
According to PRNewswire and Yahoo Sports, Les Bleus are staying at the Four Seasons Boston (239 rooms reserved for 35 days) and training at Bentley University in Waltham MA — 15 minutes from the Four Seasons and 25 minutes from Gillette Stadium. Some training sessions may be open to supporters (check with the FFF for confirmation). The Four Seasons neighbourhood (1 Back Street, Theatre District) is publicly accessible to any supporter curious to catch a glimpse of the French delegation.
Where to stay in Boston and the surrounding area
- Central Boston (Beacon Hill, Back Bay): the Liberty Hotel (~$800/night on match days), the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square (Cambridge — more affordable, Red Line access) — $250–450/night mid-range.
- Foxborough / Patriot Place: the Renaissance Boston Patriot Place (100 m from the ground, most convenient on match day). Airbnb houses: $2,000–5,000/night on match days (per Boston Globe).
- Cambridge: The Charles (Harvard Square), more affordable than Beacon Hill, with Red Line connection to South Station — $150–300/night budget.
Practical info — tickets, transport, budget and travel formalities
Phase 4 Last-Minute Sales opened on 1 April 2026 and remains active until the final match. Face-value prices (group stage): Cat 1 from $345–620, Cat 2: $260–465, Cat 3: $120–215 (roughly £270–490 / £205–365 / £95–170 at current rates). The 2026 World Cup uses 100% dynamic pricing — prices can go up or down. According to FIFA.com, 80+ group-stage matches were still available in early May 2026. FIFA ID required, dynamic QR code.
Secondary market (France matches): from $287 (France-Iraq on SeatPick) to $800 (France-Senegal on StubHub). Use the official FIFA Resale Marketplace to avoid scams.
The Visa Waiver Program allows British passport holders to enter the US without a visa, but ESTA is still required. According to Fragomen, the fee rose to $40.27 (approximately £32) in September 2025 (previously $21). Apply only at esta.cbp.dhs.gov — third-party sites charge up to 3x the official fee. Recommended lead time: at least 72 hours before departure, ideally 1 month in advance. Valid for 2 years, maximum 90 days per stay. A biometric passport is required.
Note for supporters of other nationalities: the visa bond requirement (up to $15,000) for nationals of 50 countries was suspended on 13 May 2026 for FIFA ticket holders who joined FIFA PASS before 15 April 2026.
For all three matches, the optimal approach is: outbound flight Heathrow/Gatwick → Newark/JFK (Match 1, 16 June) and return flight Boston Logan → London (after Match 3, 26 June). Internal travel by Amtrak. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and United Airlines offer direct routes from London to New York daily. Norwegian and Level offer budget transatlantic options from Heathrow. Delta operates Boston direct from Heathrow. Typical fares: from £350–600 one-way LHR-JFK in June 2026.
Compare flights London → NYC/BOSThe rail corridor that makes this road trip possible: NYC → Philadelphia in 1h15–1h30 ($50–100), Philadelphia → Boston in 3h30–4h ($100–200). That’s just 5 hours of rail travel across three iconic cities. According to Wanderu, it’s vital to book now on amtrak.com — trains between NYC, Philly and Boston are expected to sell out on all World Cup dates.
Avoid costly roaming charges from your UK mobile provider. Airalo offers US eSIMs with 5G data, active within minutes via the app. A North America plan covers travel across NYC–Philly–Boston. An eSIM is essential for the dynamic QR code on your FIFA ticket, Google Maps, and transport apps (NJ Transit, MBTA, SEPTA).
From $6.50 for 1 GBA medical emergency in the United States can cost $50,000–100,000. Travel insurance is non-negotiable for this road trip. SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance offers global coverage from $56 per 4 weeks — valid in the US, covering hospitalisation, repatriation and emergency care. Get 10% off via our link. Sign up online, certificate issued instantly.
From $56 / 4 weeksBased on analysis from World Cup Guide and Ulysse.com:
- Return flight London–New York: £350–750
- 3 Cat 2 tickets (face value): $780–1,395 (~£615–1,100)
- 10 nights’ accommodation: $1,500–2,500 (~£1,200–2,000)
- Amtrak NYC–Philly–Boston: $150–300 (~£120–240)
- Stadium transport + meals: $350–500 (~£275–395)
- Total estimated: ~£2,600–4,600 per person
Ways to save: book flights early via Aviasales, stay in New Jersey (30–40% cheaper than Manhattan), choose Cat 3 tickets on FIFA.com.
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy tickets for France’s matches at the 2026 World Cup?
Phase 4 Last-Minute Sales opened on 1 April 2026 at FIFA.com/tickets. Create a FIFA ID account and register your payment method. Face-value group-stage prices: Cat 1 from $345, Cat 2 from $260, Cat 3 from $120 (roughly £270 / £205 / £95). Pricing is 100% dynamic — prices can move up or down. For resale, use the FIFA Resale Marketplace. On the secondary market, France matches are going from $287 (France-Iraq on SeatPick) to $800 (France-Senegal on StubHub). Avoid unofficial resellers: tickets purchased outside FIFA Resale can be cancelled at the gate.
Can you do all 3 of France’s group matches as a road trip?
Absolutely — and it’s the unique opportunity this World Cup offers. All three matches are played on the US East Coast, linked by the Amtrak Northeast Corridor: NYC → Philadelphia in 1h15–1h30 ($50–100), Philadelphia → Boston in 3h30–4h ($100–200). The classic 10-day itinerary: fly into New York (16 June, France vs Senegal at MetLife), train to Philadelphia (22 June, France vs Iraq at Lincoln Financial Field), train to Boston (26 June, Norway vs France at Gillette Stadium), fly home from Boston Logan. Book your Amtrak tickets on amtrak.com as soon as possible — World Cup trains are expected to sell out quickly.
How much does it cost to attend all 3 France group matches?
For a UK supporter attending all 3 group-stage matches (Cat 2 tickets, London flights, 10 nights’ accommodation), the estimated budget is £2,600–4,600 per person. Breakdown: return flight London–New York (£350–750), 3 Cat 2 face-value tickets (~£615–1,100), 10 nights’ accommodation (~£1,200–2,000), Amtrak NYC–Philly–Boston (~£120–240), stadium transport and meals (~£275–395). On the tightest budget (New Jersey accommodation, Cat 3 tickets, budget flights), costs can come down to around £1,800–2,200 per person.
Where can UK viewers watch France’s World Cup matches on TV?
In the UK, ITV and BBC share live rights to the 2026 World Cup, with all group-stage matches broadcast free-to-air. UK kick-off times: France vs Senegal (16 June) at 20:00 BST, France vs Iraq (22 June) at 22:00 BST, Norway vs France (26 June) at 20:00 BST. ITVX and BBC iPlayer stream matches live and on demand. In France, M6 and beIN Sports hold the rights — but for UK audiences the free-to-air BBC/ITV coverage means you won’t miss a kick.
Are France’s training sessions at Boston open to the public?
Les Bleus are training at Bentley University in Waltham MA (15 minutes from the Four Seasons Boston and 25 minutes from Gillette Stadium) throughout the tournament. Some sessions may be open to supporters — check directly with the FFF at fff.fr for confirmation. The Bentley campus is reachable by car from Boston. The Four Seasons Hotel Boston (1 Back Street, Theatre District), the French squad’s hotel, is in a publicly accessible neighbourhood — supporters can walk around the area, though access to the hotel itself is restricted to the delegation.
- FIFA.com — Official France 2026 World Cup match schedule
- Wikipedia — 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I (France, Senegal, Norway, Iraq)
- Al Jazeera — Iraq qualify 2-1 against Bolivia, March 2026
- PRNewswire — Bentley University, France’s base camp for World Cup 2026
- Yahoo Sports — Four Seasons Boston, Les Bleus’ headquarters
- NJ Transit — Train tickets to MetLife Stadium ($98 return)
- CBS Philadelphia — Free SEPTA return for Philadelphia match-goers
- Boston Globe — MBTA Boston Stadium Train, $80 return
- MBTA — World Cup transport guide for Boston
- FIFA.com/tickets — Official tickets, Last-Minute Sales phase
- Fragomen — ESTA $40.27 fee increase, September 2025
- Al Jazeera — US visa bond suspension for FIFA ticket holders
- ABC7 NY — Free fan zones in all 5 New York City boroughs
- Visit Philadelphia — FIFA Fan Festival Lemon Hill, 39 days
- bostonfwc26.com — Fan Festival Boston City Hall Plaza, 12–27 June
- World Cup Guide — Hotel prices and cost guide, World Cup 2026
- FourFourTwo — Norway 2026 World Cup squad
- CBS Philadelphia — Philadelphia stadium and World Cup schedule
- CBS Boston — Boston Stadium / Gillette Stadium World Cup 2026
Sources consulted on 17 May 2026.