This summer, soccer fans worldwide will turn their attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beginning June 11 in Mexico City and culminating with the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. This tournament presents a unique opportunity for kosher travelers, featuring 16 venues across three countries, myriad matches showcasing top-tier soccer talent, and an extensive scale that is unprecedented. However, the financial aspect of attending could be daunting, so it’s essential to be well-informed before you plan your visit.
In summary, FIFA is expected to rake in around $13 billion from this tournament, while cities and stadiums will see little of this revenue. This gap has led to exorbitant costs associated with parking, transportation, and ticketing, which are likely to challenge kosher fans who already face additional hurdles. While some venues typically offer certified kosher food, the World Cup will disrupt the usual arrangements.
Understanding the Financial Challenges
Grasping the financial landscape surrounding this tournament is key to managing your expectations. A comprehensive investigation by The Atlantic reveals that FIFA’s agreements with host cities shift all financial responsibilities onto local governments. These liabilities include stadium improvements, security provisions, transportation development, public fan zones, and overall administration. Meanwhile, FIFA retains all revenue from ticket sales, parking, merchandise, food, sponsorships, and broadcasting rights.
This has resulted in parking fees ranging from $100 to $175, depending on the venue, with all income funneled to FIFA. Train fares have surged dramatically to compensate for the transit costs FIFA does not cover. For instance, NJ Transit is charging $105 for a round trip from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, up from the usual $13 fare, driven by an estimated $48 million cost to accommodate the World Cup. Additionally, Boston’s MBTA has invested millions in upgrades and will charge $80 per ticket for each round trip for the expected influx of fans.
At MetLife Stadium, fans will not have general parking options as FIFA has repurposed these spaces for VIP experiences and sponsor engagements. Those without suite access will need to use public transport or rideshares, as premium parking options will be limited and costly.
Keep these financial realities in mind when budgeting for your World Cup experience.
Kosher Food Availability Across World Cup Venues
The table below outlines the host stadiums, their locations, key matches they will host, and the current status of certified kosher food as seen in their regular operations.
NOTE: FIFA oversees all food and beverage services at participating venues and may eliminate existing kosher options for the tournament. The kosher availability detailed below reflects the usual operations outside of World Cup events. Confirmation for World Cup days will depend on FIFA and local committees posting specific concession details. Verify before traveling.
| Stadium | City | Country | Key Matches | Kosher Food (Regular Operations) | Parking / Transit Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ | USA | Final (July 19), Semifinal, Quarterfinal, Group Stage | YES – 7 stands under VHQ (Vaad HaRabonim of Queens). Best kosher options of any World Cup venue. Pro tip: dine at American Dream Mall first – park there, enjoy a kosher meal, and then walk the pedestrian bridge to the stadium. | No general parking. NJ Transit round-trip from Penn Station: $105 (down from $150 after public outrage). |
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA | USA | Group Stage, Round of 32 | YES – The Kosher Grill by Lubavitch of Bucks County, Section 114. Hot dogs, sausages available. | SEPTA Broad Street Line to NRG Station. Parking available in South Philly sports complex lots. |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL | USA | Third-Place Match (July 18), Quarterfinal, Group Stage | YES – Kosher Korner supervised by ORB. Confirm location before visiting. | Expect premium event parking pricing. No direct rail access; rideshare or drive is advised. |
| SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA | USA | Semifinal, Quarterfinal, Group Stage (USA home games) | No | Metro K Line (Crenshaw) to Inglewood/Downtown Inglewood station. Limited FIFA-controlled parking available. |
| AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX | USA | Semifinal (July 14), Quarterfinal, Group Stage | No | Parking starting at $125; nearly a mile walk to stadium entrance. No direct rail service. Shuttles provided from remote lots. |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA | USA | Semifinal (July 15), Group Stage | No | Parking: $100 for World Cup matches. MARTA rail available (Vine City or State Farm Arena stations). |
| Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA | USA | Quarterfinal (July 9), Group Stage | No | 75% of parking repurposed by FIFA. MBTA charging $80/ticket per game. Other train services reduced for World Cup transport. |
| Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA | USA | Group Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16 | No | VTA light rail service available. Stadium closed for other events until June 13, as per FIFA guidelines. |
| NRG Stadium | Houston, TX | USA | Group Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16 | No | METRORail Red Line to NRG Park stop. Parking available but FIFA-controlled pricing expected. |
| GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, MO | USA | Quarterfinal, Group Stage | No | Parking at $125 per car. No direct rail access. Hundreds of buses provided by the host committee. Allow 90+ minutes from downtown KC. |
| Lumen Field | Seattle, WA | USA | Group Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16 | No | Link Light Rail to SODO or Stadium stations. Limited parking; transit is highly recommended. |
| BMO Field | Toronto, ON | Canada | Group Stage, Round of 32 | No | TTC streetcar (509/511) from Union Station. The city estimates $380 million CAD in hosting costs. Limited on-site parking. |
| BC Place | Vancouver, BC | Canada | Group Stage, Round of 32, Quarterfinal | No | SkyTrain (Canada Line) to Stadium-Chinatown station. The city estimates $624 million CAD in hosting costs. |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico | Opening Match (June 11), Semifinal, Quarterfinal, Group Stage | No | Metro Line 2 to Tasqueña, then Tren Ligero to Estadio Azteca. Significant traffic expected on match days. |
| Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | Mexico | Group Stage only (no knockout matches) | No | Located in Zapopan suburb. Recommended to drive or rideshare. Limited public transit options. |
| Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | Mexico | Group Stage, Round of 32, Round of 16, Semifinal | No | Located in Guadalupe municipality. Metro Line 2 nearby. Parking available but FIFA-controlled pricing expected. |
Venues Offering the Best Experience for Kosher Fans
MetLife Stadium stands out as the premier destination for kosher fans, featuring seven certified kosher stands under the supervision of the Vaad HaRabonim of Queens. It offers the most robust kosher options among all World Cup venues. If you decide to attend a World Cup match, MetLife not only hosts the final but also multiple high-stakes matches. However, be aware of the absence of general parking and the costly NJ Transit fare. Plan accordingly.
Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami also provide reliable kosher options, with the Kosher Grill run by Lubavitch of Bucks County and the Kosher Korner supervised by ORB, respectively. Unfortunately, other venues, including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, have uncertain kosher offerings, as FIFA controls concessions and may make significant changes.
Options for Venues Lacking Kosher Food
At stadiums that do not offer kosher stands, fans have a few alternatives. Most venues permit sealed, unopened packaged food, making kosher protein bars, nuts, and snacks viable options for a two-hour game. Contact the stadium’s guest services before your visit to verify their food policies and any potential kosher arrangements for the World Cup.
For matches in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City, Boston, Seattle, and Canadian venues, consider strategizing your pre-game meal. Many of these metropolitan areas have varying levels of kosher dining options. Dallas and Atlanta have well-established kosher scenes, while Seattle, Kansas City, and Boston offer some dedicated kosher establishments. Toronto, despite lacking a stadium kosher stand, boasts a strong kosher restaurant scene.
In Mexico, the Polanco district in Mexico City is ideal for pre-game kosher dining. Guadalajara and Monterrey have few kosher options, so if you’re attending matches at Estadio Akron or Estadio BBVA, plan to bring snacks or eat beforehand.
Transportation and Parking Facts
FIFA has repurposed a considerable amount of parking at most American venues for sponsor and VIP utilization, leaving limited options controlled by FIFA at high prices. Here’s a summary of known parking costs:
MetLife Stadium (New Jersey): No general parking available. NJ Transit fare from Penn Station is $105 round trip (altered from the initial $150 due to public feedback).
AT&T Stadium (Dallas): Parking starts at $125, with nearly a mile walk to the stadium entrance. No direct rail service; shuttles will be available from additional lots.
Gillette Stadium (Boston): 75% of parking has been repurposed by FIFA. The MBTA is charging $80 per ticket for each game. Service on other train lines has been cut to accommodate World Cup transportation.
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami): Premium event parking pricing is likely; expect costs over $100.
GEHA Field at Arrowhead (Kansas City): Parking fees are $125 per vehicle. Hundreds of buses are provided by the host committee to offset reduced parking access.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta): Current area parking rates for group stage matches are around $100.
For cost-effective travel, consider using rideshare or public transportation whenever possible. Expect to budget an additional $80 to $200 for ground transportation on top of your ticket price, depending on the city.
Final Thoughts for Kosher Travelers
The World Cup is a monumental event that occurs only once in a generation. If you can navigate the logistical and financial aspects, specific matches—particularly knockout rounds in New York, Philadelphia, Miami, and Los Angeles—are genuinely worthwhile experiences. MetLife Stadium’s kosher offerings make the New York-area matches the most suitable choice for observant fans wishing to dine at the venue.
For matches at venues without kosher stands, treat it like a day trip to a location with limited kosher options: eat beforehand, pack sealed snacks, and plan your meals after the game. While the matches will not wait, thoughtful planning will ensure you avoid being hungry in a parking lot after spending $125 and walking a mile to the stadium.
This guide will be updated as more information about World Cup-specific concessions becomes available from FIFA and local organizing committees. If you have confirmed details about kosher food availability at any of these venues during World Cup matches, please email info@yeahthatskosher.com or reach out to us on Instagram.
Comprehensive 2026 World Cup Match Schedule
Here’s a complete overview of all 104 matches, including dates, team matchups, stadiums, and cities. All times are in Eastern. Matchups for the knockout rounds (Round of 16 and beyond) will be determined by group stage results.
Group Stage
| Date | Teams | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jun. 11 | Mexico vs. South Africa | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Thu, Jun. 11 | South Korea vs. Czechia | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Fri, Jun. 12 | Canada vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| Fri, Jun. 12 | USA vs. Paraguay | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Sat, Jun. 13 | Qatar vs. Switzerland | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA |
| Sat, Jun. 13 | Brazil vs. Morocco | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Sat, Jun. 13 | Haiti vs. Scotland | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | Australia vs. Türkiye | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | Germany vs. Curaçao | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | Netherlands vs. Japan | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
| Sun, Jun. 14 | Sweden vs. Tunisia | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey, Mexico |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | Spain vs. Cape Verde | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | Belgium vs. Egypt | Lumen Field | Seattle, WA |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Mon, Jun. 15 | Iran vs. New Zealand | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Tue, Jun. 16 | France vs. Senegal | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Tue, Jun. 16 | Iraq vs. Norway | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Tue, Jun. 16 | Argentina vs. Algeria | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | Kansas City, MO |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | Austria vs. Jordan | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | Portugal vs. DR Congo | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | England vs. Croatia | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | Ghana vs. Panama | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| Wed, Jun. 17 | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | Czechia vs. South Africa | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | Switzerland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
| Thu, Jun. 18 | Mexico vs. South Korea | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | USA vs. Australia | Lumen Field | Seattle, WA |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
| Fri, Jun. 19 | Türkiye vs. Paraguay | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | Netherlands vs. Sweden | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | Germany vs. Ivory Coast | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| Sat, Jun. 20 | Ecuador vs. Curaçao | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | Kansas City, MO |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | Tunisia vs. Japan | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey, Mexico |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | Spain vs. Saudi Arabia | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | Belgium vs. Iran | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | Uruguay vs. Cape Verde | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Sun, Jun. 21 | New Zealand vs. Egypt | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | Argentina vs. Austria | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | France vs. Iraq | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | Norway vs. Senegal | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Mon, Jun. 22 | Jordan vs. Algeria | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | England vs. Ghana | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | Panama vs. Croatia | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| Tue, Jun. 23 | Colombia vs. DR Congo | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | Switzerland vs. Canada | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Qatar | Lumen Field | Seattle, WA |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | Scotland vs. Brazil | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | Morocco vs. Haiti | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | Czechia vs. Mexico | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Wed, Jun. 24 | South Africa vs. South Korea | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey, Mexico |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | Ecuador vs. Germany | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | Japan vs. Sweden | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | Tunisia vs. Netherlands | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | Kansas City, MO |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | Türkiye vs. USA | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Thu, Jun. 25 | Paraguay vs. Australia | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | Norway vs. France | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | Senegal vs. Iraq | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | Uruguay vs. Spain | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | Egypt vs. Iran | Lumen Field | Seattle, WA |
| Fri, Jun. 26 | New Zealand vs. Belgium | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | Panama vs. England | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | Croatia vs. Ghana | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | Colombia vs. Portugal | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | Algeria vs. Austria | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | Kansas City, MO |
| Sat, Jun. 27 | Jordan vs. Argentina | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
Round of 32 (June 28 – July 3)
| Date | Match | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, Jun. 28 | Runner-up Group A vs. Runner-up Group B | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | Winner Group C vs. Runner-up Group F | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | Winner Group E vs. Best 3rd (A/B/C/D/F) | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Mon, Jun. 29 | Winner Group F vs. Runner-up Group C | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey, Mexico |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | Runner-up Group E vs. Runner-up Group I | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | Winner Group I vs. Best 3rd (C/D/F/G/H) | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Tue, Jun. 30 | Winner Group A vs. Best 3rd (C/E/F/H/I) | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | Winner Group L vs. Best 3rd (E/H/I/J/K) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | Winner Group G vs. Best 3rd (A/E/H/I/J) | Lumen Field | Seattle, WA |
| Wed, Jul. 1 | Winner Group D vs. Best 3rd (B/E/F/I/J) | Levi’s Stadium | Santa Clara, CA |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | Winner Group H vs. Runner-up Group J | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | Runner-up Group K vs. Runner-up Group L | BMO Field | Toronto, Canada |
| Thu, Jul. 2 | Winner Group B vs. Best 3rd (E/F/G/I/J) | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | Runner-up Group D vs. Runner-up Group G | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | Winner Group J vs. Runner-up Group H | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Fri, Jul. 3 | Winner Group K vs. Best 3rd (D/E/I/J/L) | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | Kansas City, MO |
Round of 16 (July 4 – July 7)
| Date | Match | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jul. 4 | Winner Match 73 vs. Winner Match 75 | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX |
| Sat, Jul. 4 | Winner Match 74 vs. Winner Match 77 | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia, PA |
| Sun, Jul. 5 | Winner Match 76 vs. Winner Match 78 | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
| Sun, Jul. 5 | Winner Match 79 vs. Winner Match 80 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Mon, Jul. 6 | Winner Match 83 vs. Winner Match 84 | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Mon, Jul. 6 | Winner Match 81 vs. Winner Match 82 | Lumen Field | Seattle, WA |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | Winner Match 86 vs. Winner Match 88 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
| Tue, Jul. 7 | Winner Match 85 vs. Winner Match 87 | BC Place | Vancouver, Canada |
Quarterfinals (July 9 – July 11)
| Date | Match | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jul. 9 | Winner Match 89 vs. Winner Match 90 | Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA |
| Fri, Jul. 10 | Winner Match 93 vs. Winner Match 94 | SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, CA |
| Sat, Jul. 11 | Winner Match 91 vs. Winner Match 92 | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Sat, Jul. 11 | Winner Match 95 vs. Winner Match 96 | GEHA Field at Arrowhead | Kansas City, MO |
Semifinals (July 14 – July 15)
| Date | Match | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jul. 14 | Winner Match 97 vs. Winner Match 98 | AT&T Stadium | Arlington, TX |
| Wed, Jul. 15 | Winner Match 99 vs. Winner Match 100 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA |
Third-Place Match & Final
| Date | Match | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Jul. 18 | Third-Place Match: Loser SF1 vs. Loser SF2 | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL |
| Sun, Jul. 19 | FINAL: Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2 | MetLife Stadium | East Rutherford, NJ |
