Following Wales in 2026

Wales at the 2026 World Cup

Let's get it out of the way: Wales did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup. It's gutting, particularly after the euphoria of Qatar 2022 — Wales' first tournament appearance in 64 years. There is no diplomatic way to soften that.

But if you know anything about the Red Wall, you know that non-qualification does not necessarily mean staying home. The Red Wall have a reputation — one of the most beloved travelling supports in world football — and many will be heading to North America this summer regardless. If you're one of them, this guide is for you.

The 2026 tournament is genuinely once-in-a-generation. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026, it features 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 cities. The USA will not host a major international football tournament again for the foreseeable future. For neutral fans with a passion for the game — and Welsh supporters certainly qualify — it is an extraordinary opportunity.

Should You Still Go? The Case for Attending as a Neutral

The honest answer is yes, if you can manage it, and here's why.

It's a bucket-list destination. New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Dallas, Mexico City — these are world cities that happen to be hosting world football. Even without Wales in the draw, the matches on offer include some of the biggest footballing nations on earth: Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, England. The group stage alone features compelling fixtures across a continent.

England are there. For many Welsh fans, supporting England is a complicated proposition at the best of times — the relationship between the two nations' football cultures is affectionate, competitive, and occasionally pointed. But at a tournament where the alternative is watching nothing, plenty of Red Wall regulars will find themselves cheering England along if only to justify the flights. You wouldn't be the first, and you won't be the last.

The fan experience is extraordinary. North America is not a traditional football culture, but the Americans in particular embrace major events with an enthusiasm that is genuinely infectious. The fan zones, the atmosphere, the cities — Wales fans who went to 2022 in Qatar discovered that being a neutral can be liberating. The 2026 tournament offers that same freedom at significantly less expense in a part of the world far more accessible from the UK.

The Red Wall's reputation travels. Welsh fans are known internationally for their warmth, good humour, and ability to make friends anywhere. Going to 2026 without Wales in the draw simply extends that tradition. There will be Welsh voices singing in New York, in Mexico City, in Dallas. That's not nothing.

The Red Wall Abroad

The Red Wall's identity was forged at Euro 2016 in France, where Wales reached the semi-finals and their fans became the story of the tournament. The image of thousands of supporters in Cardiff red, belting out "Don't Take Me Home" in Lyon and Paris, was broadcast around the world. Welsh football had arrived on the international stage — not just as a team, but as a fan culture.

What makes the Red Wall distinctive is the combination of passion and warmth. The daffodils, the dragons, the bucket hats, the Welsh language chants — all of it adds up to something genuinely unique in football. Non-qualification for 2026 doesn't erase that identity; it simply relocates it.

Welsh fans travelling to 2026 as neutrals are tapping into a long tradition in the Tartan Army (Scotland's equivalent), whose supporters have attended tournaments without their nation for decades and are beloved at every one. There is honour in travelling for the love of football rather than the obligation of following your team. The Red Wall, should they travel to North America this summer, will be welcomed everywhere they go.

Supporting England: The Honest Conversation

This section exists because it's the elephant in the room.

England qualified from UEFA's allocation and are in the tournament. For Welsh football fans, England are the neighbours, the rivals, the source of much sporting frustration and occasional admiration. The Wales–England football relationship is unique in British sport — fierce but rarely bitter, coloured by a shared history that makes it more complicated than simple hostility.

At a World Cup in North America, thousands of miles from Cardiff Arms Park and Wembley, the tribalism softens. Welsh fans at Euro 2024 in Germany who found themselves near England supporters generally reported the experience as perfectly civil, sometimes genuinely enjoyable. Distance and shared footballing culture have a way of doing that.

You are under no obligation to support England. But if you're at the tournament and England are playing, you might find yourself watching. That's fine. Football at a World Cup is bigger than club allegiances and national rivalries. Many Welsh fans will simply enjoy the spectacle and root for whoever is playing attractive football — which, if England's recent tournaments are any guide, may not be England anyway.

What matters is that you are there. The Red Wall in North America, regardless of who they're nominally supporting, will be a positive presence.

Best Destinations for Welsh Fans

If you're planning a trip to the 2026 tournament, choosing which cities to base yourself in makes a significant difference to both your experience and your budget.

New York / New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)

New York is the most accessible US city from Wales — direct and near-direct flights from London are plentiful — and it has a long-standing connection with Welsh immigration. The Welsh community in New York goes back to the 19th century, and while it's diluted by now, there are still Welsh societies and events. The city itself needs no introduction. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, just across the Hudson, is hosting matches including the final on 19 July.

Fan recommendation: Stay in New Jersey (cheaper, closer to the stadium) or use the PATH train from Manhattan. The city's fan zones, pubs, and sheer energy make it an outstanding base for Welsh fans who want the big tournament feel.

Mexico City (Estadio Azteca and Estadio BBVA — Monterrey also hosts)

Here is where the Red Wall can genuinely stretch their pound. Mexico is extraordinary value for UK fans: a good hotel in Mexico City's Roma or Condesa neighbourhoods costs a fraction of New York equivalents, food and drink are spectacularly cheap, and the footballing culture is fanatical. The Azteca is one of the most storied stadiums in world football — the venue of Maradona's "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" in 1986.

Fan recommendation: Mexico City is the budget traveller's best option for this tournament. ESTA is not required for Mexico (UK citizens get a tourist entry stamp instead), flights from London via Madrid or Amsterdam are competitively priced, and the welcome for football fans is extraordinary. Safety: stick to tourist areas (Roma, Condesa, Polanco), use Uber rather than street taxis, and use the same city-sense you would in any major European capital.

Dallas / Fort Worth (AT&T Stadium — Arlington)

Dallas is central, relatively affordable for a US city, and the weather in June/July is hot but manageable (dry heat rather than humid). AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) is one of the largest stadiums in the tournament. The city has a large British expat community, decent pubs, and is a good hub for fans who want to combine the tournament with wider Texas travel.

Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium — Inglewood)

LA is expensive and sprawling, but it is Los Angeles. The city is a spectacle in itself, hosting matches through the tournament. For Welsh fans who want to combine football with California travel — San Francisco, Napa, Pacific Coast Highway — it makes sense as a base for the knockouts.

Fan recommendation: Stay in Santa Monica or Long Beach (more manageable than central LA) and rent a car, or use the Metro Rail to the stadium. Expect high prices for match-week accommodation — book well in advance.

East Coast value pick: Philadelphia

Philadelphia is overlooked but excellent. It's 90 minutes from New York by Amtrak, significantly cheaper for hotels, has a strong sports fan culture, and is hosting its own matches at Lincoln Financial Field. For Welsh fans who want the East Coast experience without New York prices, Philadelphia is a smart choice.

Travel from Wales: Getting There

From Cardiff (CWL)

Cardiff Airport's long-haul options are limited, which means most Welsh fans face a connection or a drive. The practical options:

Bristol Airport (BRS) — approximately 40 minutes from Cardiff; better long-haul connections including some transatlantic options via Wizz Air and charters. Worth checking before defaulting to London.
London Heathrow (LHR) — the full range of direct US and Canada routes (BA, Virgin, American, United, Air Canada). Cardiff Central to London Paddington by Great Western Railway takes approximately 2 hours; the Heathrow Express adds 15 minutes. Budget around 3 hours door-to-gate from Cardiff.
London Gatwick (LGW) — cheaper than Heathrow on many routes, with Norwegian and transatlantic charter options. Victoria to Gatwick by Gatwick Express takes 30 minutes.

From North Wales

Manchester Airport (MAN) — the closest major hub, with Virgin Atlantic routes to New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. Excellent for North Wales fans avoiding the drive south.
Liverpool (LJO / John Lennon) — primarily European routes; most useful for connecting to Heathrow or Dublin for onwards travel.
Dublin (DUB) — worth considering if you're near the North Wales coast. Aer Lingus fly Dublin to New York, Boston, Chicago, and Miami — often at lower prices than equivalent UK departures. The ferry from Holyhead to Dublin (3.5 hours, Stena Line) connects to the airport.

Budget routing

The cheapest strategy for many Welsh fans is to fly to Dublin (easyJet, Ryanair from Cardiff or Liverpool), then take an Aer Lingus transatlantic flight. Dublin-to-US fares are frequently 20–30% cheaper than London-to-US on equivalent routes due to US pre-clearance and different market dynamics.

Reykjavik is another option for the adventurous: Icelandair connect Cardiff (via London) to New York, Boston, and other US cities via Keflavik, and their stopover programme allows a free Iceland stopover en route.

Welsh Connections in North America

The Welsh presence in North America is older and more widespread than most people realise:

Pennsylvania has the deepest Welsh roots. Welsh Quakers settled in the Delaware Valley in the 1680s — towns like Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Narberth, and Bala Cynwyd carry Welsh names to this day. Bryn Mawr is Welsh for "big hill." If England are playing at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Welsh fans travelling through Pennsylvania will find themselves in genuinely Welsh-named territory.

Ohio and New York State also received significant Welsh emigration during the 19th century, particularly from slate-quarrying and coal-mining communities. Utica, New York, had a substantial Welsh-speaking community. Welsh Congregational chapels dot the northeast.

Patagonia is not in North America, but the Welsh colony in Argentine Patagonia (Y Wladfa) deserves a mention — established in 1865 specifically to preserve the Welsh language, it still has Welsh speakers today. That's a story worth telling in any pub on the tournament trail.

Nova Scotia (Canada) has Scottish and Welsh communities dating to the Highland Clearances and related migrations. Halifax is not a 2026 host city, but Toronto is — and the broader Canadian connection to Celtic heritage is strong.

Planning Advice: What to Do Right Now

The tournament starts 13 days from today (11 June 2026). Here is the practical checklist for Welsh fans considering attending:

For June matches: Group stage accommodation near host cities is extremely limited and prices have surged. If you have tickets or are considering late decisions, check Airbnb for apartments further from stadiums (cheaper, and you'll be using public transport regardless), and look at hotels in neighbouring cities.

For July knockout matches: This is where genuine planning is still possible. The quarter-finals (4–5 July), semi-finals (14–15 July), and final (19 July) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey are still 6+ weeks away. Accommodation, flights, and tickets (via official resale channels) are still available for the latter stages.

ESTA (USA): Apply immediately if you haven't already. The Electronic System for Travel Authorisation costs $21 and takes minutes to complete at esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Processing is typically 72 hours but can take longer. Do not leave this until the day before travel.

Mexico entry: UK citizens do not require a visa for Mexico. You receive a tourist entry stamp (FMM — Forma Migratoria Múltiple) on arrival. Ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.

Canada (eTA): If you're passing through or visiting Canada, UK citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). Apply at canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship. It costs CAD $7 and is linked to your passport.

Travel insurance: This is non-negotiable for North America. The GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) does NOT cover the USA, Canada, or Mexico. Medical costs in the USA particularly are extraordinary without insurance. Get a policy that covers emergency medical treatment, repatriation, and cancellation.

Currency: The US dollar, Canadian dollar, and Mexican peso are all separate currencies. A Wise or Revolut card is the most cost-effective way to spend across all three — low fees, good exchange rates, and no foreign transaction charges.

Looking Ahead: Wales and 2030

Non-qualification for 2026 stings, but Welsh football is not going backwards. The squad that reached Qatar 2022 — Wales' first tournament in 64 years — built a foundation. The 2030 World Cup will be hosted jointly across Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Argentina (with three additional centenary matches in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina). UEFA's qualifying allocation for 2030 is expected to be similar to 2026.

The core of the current Wales squad will be in their prime in 2028–2030. The 2026 European qualifiers (Euro 2028, hosted in the UK and Ireland) offer another major tournament on home soil. Welsh football fans have reason to believe that 2022 was not a one-off.

In the meantime: North America, June–July 2026, as a neutral. The Red Wall has never needed a Welsh badge on the opponent's shirt to make noise. Go for the football. Go for the experience. Go for the hwyl.

Wales Tournament History

Year	Result
2026	Did not qualify
2022	Group stage (Qatar)
1958	Quarter-finals (Sweden)

The 2022 World Cup was Wales' first appearance since 1958 — a 64-year wait — and it showed that Welsh football had genuinely arrived on the world stage. The 2026 qualification campaign fell short, but the trajectory of Welsh football over the past decade represents real progress.

The Welsh Language in North America

Cymraeg in North America is more than a historical footnote. The Welsh communities of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York State maintained the language into the 20th century, and the connections remain. Welsh fans visiting Philadelphia may find themselves in towns whose names they recognise from home. That's the Red Wall's secret advantage: wherever they go, Wales has been before.

Dewch i ni fynd — let's go.

Last reviewed: May 2026. Entry requirements and visa information subject to change — always verify with official government sources before travel: UK Foreign Office travel advice, US ESTA, Canada eTA.

← Back to Home