Editorial Team
Our content team
6 min read
Remember the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? Back then, a clear freezer bag was the most exotic item on your World Cup 2026 packing list. The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be different.
104 matches across Canada, Mexico, and the USA. Phoenix in June with 104°F (40°C). NFL stadiums with security rules that will stop your backpack at the entrance. And one topic that 90% of international fans won't understand until they reach the stadium: the clear bag policy.
From June 11 to July 19, 2026, the biggest World Cup ever will take place. This football fan travel guide shows you the essential items for your USA trip.
World Cup 2026 Packing List: The Clear Bag Policy in Detail
At Super Bowl 2024 in Las Vegas, 1,200 fans stood outside without tickets. Because they arrived with the wrong bags. Security didn't let them through. No exceptions. No "but I flew from overseas." Gone.
The NFL Clear Bag Policy has been standard at every NFL game since 2013. And now applies to World Cup 2026.
MetLife Stadium in New York. AT&T Stadium in Dallas. SoFi in Los Angeles. All NFL arenas with the same rule: Only transparent bags up to 12" x 6" x 12" (30cm x 15cm x 30cm). Or a clear one-gallon freezer bag.
Picture this: You're standing two hours before the match with 40,000 other fans at the entrance. Your backpack doesn't pass security. Security sends you away. No sympathy, no storage, no second chance.
This is routine at every Super Bowl. The World Cup 2026 will be exactly the same.
Your regular backpack? Stays home. That festival fanny pack? Forget it. What you need is a transparent stadium bag that you buy weeks in advance.
I looked at five transparent stadium bags. The MoKo Transparent Crossbody Shoulder Bag, Station Approved Carry Bag with Removable Strap, Statium Approved Clear Bag for Work, Sports, Games and Concerts meets NFL requirements, has separate compartments for phone and tickets, and costs under $15. Other models are either too small or cost three times as much.
MoKo Transparent Crossbody Shoulder Bag, Station Approved Carry Bag with Removable Strap, Statium Approved Clear Bag for Work, Sports, Games and Concerts
4.5
(1,461)
EUR 8.99
Amazon
Heat Essentials for Your USA Travel Packing List
Phoenix in June. 104°F (42°C) in the shade. Problem: There is no shade.
Fans from cooler climates are used to 77°F (25°C) summer days. Maybe 95°F (35°C) during a heat wave. 104°F with direct sun exposure is a different dimension. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, fans collapsed after two hours waiting outside stadiums in the heat. Phoenix will be similar.
Dallas and Houston? 95°F (35°C) plus humidity like a greenhouse. According to Weather2Travel, the East Coast effect is even stronger. Sweating doesn't help because the air is saturated.
What belongs on your USA travel packing list for hot World Cup days?
A cooling towel for your neck. You dip it in water for 30 seconds, wring it out, and get instant cooling. Lasts about an hour, then you repeat. There are hundreds of cooling towel variations – the Tough Outdoors Cooling Towel 100 x 30 cm – Cooling Towel – Cooling Towel – Cool Towel – Sweat Towel Sport – Cooling Towel Small from Fit-Flip is Amazon's bestseller for good reason. Works instantly, dries fast, fits in any bag.
A battery-powered EasyAcc Handheld USB Fan with 3350 mAh Battery, Portable Electric Mini Fan, 17 Hours, Rechargeable Battery, Foldable, Compatible with Laptop, Multi Port Socket for Travel and Home - Black with 17-hour runtime gives you constant airflow.
Most important tip: Bring empty water bottles. US stadiums have drinking fountains. You can refill for free. Buying water costs $6-8 per bottle.
Tough Outdoors Cooling Towel 100 x 30 cm – Cooling Towel – Cooling Towel – Cool Towel – Sweat Towel Sport – Cooling Towel Small
4.5
(8,082)
EUR 9.49
Amazon
Power and Internet: Don't Forget the Adapter
Besides heat and bags, there's another practical topic: electricity.
The USA uses Type A/B outlets at 110 volts. European plugs don't fit. You need a travel adapter like the Pack of 2 Travel Adaptor USA Adapter Socket, Travel Adapter USA, Adapter USA Germany Plug, Socket Adapter Travel Plug Power Adapter for EU to America/Canada/Mexico/Thailand.
Good news: Phones and laptops are usually dual-voltage. They work without a voltage converter. For hair dryers or electric razors, check the voltage specifications first.
For mobile internet, you have two options. Option 1: International roaming. $10-15 per day. For a two-week USA trip: $210.
Option 2: USA SIM card or eSIM like the USA Prepaid SIM Card | Unlimited 5G/4G LTE High Speed Internet Data in the USA | Unlimited Calls and Text Messages | Rechargeable 21 Days. 30 GB for 30 days costs about $35 with Mint Mobile. You can order it before leaving and activate it on the plane.
According to EasySIM, eSIMs cost around $3.50 per GB. The math is simple: After three days in the USA, the separate SIM pays for itself.
Pack of 2 Travel Adaptor USA Adapter Socket, Travel Adapter USA, Adapter USA Germany Plug, Socket Adapter Travel Plug Power Adapter for EU to America/Canada/Mexico/Thailand
4.7
(4,036)
EUR 7.99
Amazon
Visa Requirements: ESTA Is Mandatory
Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries don't need a visa for the USA. But ESTA authorization is mandatory. Yes, I know, it sounds like unnecessary bureaucracy. It is. But without ESTA, you're not flying.
Apply online, costs $21, stays valid for two years. Important: Submit at least 72 hours before your flight. Show up at the airport without ESTA and you'll be turned away at check-in.
And check your passport NOW. It needs to be valid for at least six months after entry. Not six months from today. Six months after your USA stay.
Ready for the Football World Cup
With this World Cup 2026 packing list, you're perfectly prepared. Clear bag policy checked, heat equipment packed, and technically equipped – your USA trip to the 2026 Football World Cup will be unforgettable.
