It was already the most expensive World Cup in history – and now England fans face a wallet-busting 5,000-mile odyssey through North America.
Die-hard supporters have been forced to guess and gamble on their likely travel plans following the tournament’s group stage.
Harry Kane and his squad created a ‘nightmare’ for fans by not winning their middle group game against Ghana – causing uncertainty over their position in the Group L table and meaning no one knew until last night the route to the final.
Until the final whistle at England’s clash against Panama, hard-pressed fans were having to speculate on a dizzying range of possibilities taking in Atlanta, Toronto, Mexico and Los Angeles as possible destinations.
Most fans had backed the Three Lions to come top of their Group L and had already booked flights to Atlanta for the round-of-32 and Mexico City for the round-of-16.
From there, if the dream stays alive, it is Miami for the quarters, Atlanta again for the semis, before the World Cup final in New York on July 19 – at the giant MetLife Stadium where England played last night.
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest ever, being played across the USA, Mexico and Canada. Supporters who flew from the UK for all three group games have already clocked up 6,600 miles.
The route to the final adds another 5,000 miles, and with the flight home the grand total if England made it to the final would be 15,000 miles – more than half way round the world.
England striker Harry Kane celebrates after doubling his side’s goal tally against Panama
England fans may have to travel a total of 14,850 miles throughout the duration of the World Cup
At the World Cup 2026, where cans of beer are $20 and hotels $300 a night, fans have already shelled out between £4,000 and £10,000, and now their bank balances face a further eye-watering squeeze.
Thomas Concannon, of the Football Supporters’ Association, said the 0-0 match against Ghana last week had been a ‘nightmare’ for fans because the team’s failure to win created mass uncertainty about where to go next.
‘It is so frustrating from the fans’ perspective planning ahead,’ he said. ‘They were looking at Atlanta, Toronto…so many gambled on Atlanta.’
Richie Slaughter, 35, from Hexham in Northumberland, said: ‘We’d already booked the flights to Atlanta and they were non-refundable.’
Others booked to Mexico in the belief England would make it to the round-of-16 in the legendary Azteca Stadium – scene of Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal.
Searches for flights from the UK to Mexico have rocketed 5,000 per cent, according to Gilad Zilberman, co-founder of match ticket firm SeatPick, who said: ‘People are suddenly spending a month’s wages on a trip they hadn’t even considered two weeks ago.’
At last night’s match in New York, Luke Carey, 25, from Watford, said: ‘I’m not going to the round-of-32 game. I’m heading straight to Mexico where hopefully we should be in the round-of-16.
‘This has been the trip of a lifetime for me. It’s going to cost £8,000 and that’s tickets, travel, accommodation, food and drink. I’ve got an Excel spreadsheet going and at the moment it’s £600 under budget which is good – it’s like being in Race Across The World.’
