Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2026: Die Mannschaft and the Return to the Summit

Germany don't suffer mediocrity. They have won four World Cups, reached eight finals, and a record of tournament consistency that no other nation in the history of the competition can match. So they are heading into the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada with a young, talented bunch in a period of real rebuild. After going out in the group stages at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 and at Euro 2024 losing to Spain in the quarter-finals at home, it has been a few tough years. And, with a new manager in Julian Nagelsmann, they finally seem to have found an identity and playing style, and a squad with the quality and experience to win a tournament. German supporters travel to World Cups in their thousands and have some of the best supporter sections anywhere, so buy World Cup 2026 Tickets now because stocks are dwindling quickly.

Can Germany Win the 2026 World Cup?

They seem to have built the foundations of a real contender in Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala, plus the likes of Kai Havertz, and they have a more compact, organised defensive approach under Nagelsmann. Germany also have great squad depth at every position, so they are not overly reliant on any individual player or style of play. The 48-team, Round of 32 tournament format will play to German strengths, particularly as the team is able to build and reach its peak form by the time it gets to the second half of the competition, as they did when they won in 2014. Furthermore, summer conditions in North America will be far more conducive to Germany's style than Qatar's artificial winter.

Entry Rules for German Supporters Heading to North America

Germany is well-placed to get into any of the three host countries. The United States is a member of the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which allows German citizens to travel visa-free for up to 90 days. All you need is an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) which you can easily apply for on the web for a few dollars well in advance of your travel. The US Department of State has its own dedicated page for football fans at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas with information about what you'll need and other relevant information about the World Cup, but the main thing is making sure you have a valid electronic passport for the entire stay. Canada also allows visa-free travel for German citizens for a maximum of six months. There is just a requirement to get an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) which you need if you're arriving by air. Again, this is quick to apply for online. Canada has quite a German immigrant population, mostly in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, so you may want to check eTA requirements when booking through Canada. German citizens can enter Mexico without a visa and stay for up to 180 days. All three of the Mexican host cities are open to you as fans: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

Which Cities Will Host Germany?

With Germany set to headline Group E of the tournament, there'll be matches across many US host cities including the knockout games at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Levi's Stadium in San Francisco. The World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will take place on July 19.

New York/New Jersey is home to one of the biggest German diaspora communities in America. The local area has a large German community from the historical enclaves in Manhattan all the way out to the wider tri-state region. It means German fans heading to New York for the match will be familiar with their surroundings, just in the biggest football atmosphere.

Los Angeles is the right kind of place for Germany to take their international journey. It's easy for travelling Germans to organize their visit, the venues are top notch and the weather is good (it is July). There's no doubt the facilities at SoFi Stadium are among the best in the sport, plus the city is so international that the parties, match-viewing parties and parties within the fan zones will extend well beyond the stadium.

Dallas: Fans will find it a convenient hub to travel from if their games take place in the southern and midwest US portion of the host schedule. AT&T Stadium in Arlington also has to be one of the best venues in the whole tournament.

Accommodation: Where to Stay?

Accommodation availability around the major venues is dwindling fast. Here is your city-by-city guide:

New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford and Secaucus are both a short distance away from MetLife Stadium. You could stay in Manhattan, which would give you the full New York City experience for (often exorbitant) prices, especially once we get into the later stages of the tournament. Fortunately, you can catch the NJ Transit service directly to the stadium on the day of the game.

Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood. El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, and Marina del Rey are the most viable options in the proximity, and these are all serviced by the Metro K Line connecting the stadium.

San Francisco/Bay Area: Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara, making hotels in Santa Clara, San Jose, and Palo Alto the closest options. Alternatively, fans staying further afield in San Francisco can get to the venue via Caltrain.

Dallas: AT&T Stadium is in Arlington, located between the Dallas and Fort Worth metropolitan areas. Fans looking to catch one or two games might find it easier to stay in Arlington on match days. However, those with more days available in the US will enjoy the wider variety of dining, nightlife, and general infrastructure available in the city of Dallas proper.

For all of the above, it is worth noting that hotel chains with free cancellation policies, such as Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia, make the best bets for the time being, as it is impossible to know where fans' needs will lie once the path of Germany in the knockout round has been set.

Getting There: Flights and Internal Travel

Frankfurt Airport (FRA), the main international hub in Germany, is serviced by direct flights to New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Dallas DFW, Miami, and San Francisco SFO. Lufthansa, United, American Airlines, and Delta all operate these services, which are the most convenient flights for US fans to catch. Munich Airport (MUC) will also provide a good connection for those residing in southern Germany, while Düsseldorf Airport and Berlin Brandenburg Airport offer further options. Transatlantic tickets have been climbing steadily, so international tickets are the main priority for fans who do not yet have them. Domestic flights between US host cities can be found via Southwest, Delta, and American. All eleven US venues are serviced by at least one of these three airlines daily, meaning that fans could easily fly from one host city to another. Multi-city flights are also feasible, and it is worth adding a buffer day in each city to account for potential summer travel delays.

Tickets: The Real Deal

All World Cup 2026 tickets will be sold via the official FIFA tickets site, FIFA.com. The first place for fans to head is the FIFA tickets site, as this is where all of the remaining tickets will be located alongside official resale listings and official hospitality package tickets. Those who cannot find their matches listed on the FIFA website can rest assured that they are not the only ones; however, fans should be wary of scouring Reddit threads and Facebook groups and social media sites to look for tickets. Instead, buy through reliable, vetted resellers, like Ticombo, Seatpick, or any other trusted verified secondary market that promises each purchase. Secondary market prices can be pricier than face value. For those attending with a large group of friends, it is vital to plan ahead, as the venue's ticketed seating is not guaranteed to be next to each other, and each stadium has its own unique layout.

Practical Advice for German Supporters

Currency: US Dollars are the official currency at all stadiums and cities along the tour. Skip the exchange desks at airports: use ATMs, or Wise offers a better deal using Euros.

Mobile phone: Regular German phone cards often do not have US roaming at a cheap rate. Using an eSIM provider, like Airalo or a short-term tourist plan with T-Mobile, is the best option.

Health care: The US doesn't have public healthcare for travelers. Make sure to get comprehensive travel insurance with good medical insurance before you travel, as the European Health Card (EHIC) isn't recognized in the States.

German embassies and consulates: The German Federal Government has consulates in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Atlanta, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston. Note the contact numbers for emergencies.

Weather: July in Dallas and Miami is very humid and hot. In Los Angeles it is a warmer and drier climate. It is different to a German summer. Drink plenty of water in the outdoor fan zones, especially for games in the afternoon.

Closing Thoughts

Germany has been moving towards this goal for years. The football players are good, the tactics have become better and they have a burning desire to finally win the trophy with their team, the hunger within a squad that has watched other nations lift trophies while they have experienced early exits is very real. With this World Cup they have the platform, the circumstances and the time to show their strength and remind the world why they are one of the most successful national teams in the history of this tournament.

German fans, if you want to watch Germany play when Germany proves their mettle, do not wait. Germany World Cup 2026 Tickets are hard to come by and the options to buy them on the secondary market are shrinking rapidly as June nears. Germany are back. Whether or not the rest of the world is ready for that is a completely different story.

Please be aware that visa regulations, hotel accommodations, flight costs, and ticket policies are subject to change. Fans should confirm this information with their country's government, official FIFA pages, and their airline carrier. Secondary market ticket prices can vary from face value.