Scotland And The Championship Soccer Games
As a born-and-bred Scot, our national spectator sport and passion is football (soccer for Americans). Now 60, I spent the first half of my life watching on a grainy TV, wide-eyed, with my parents and sister, images of Scotland from the 1974 Championship in West Germany onward. Sadly, I took it all for granted.
Since the 1998 event in France (the competition is held every four years), the second half of my life has seen Scotland spectacularly fail to qualify for a single tournament, leading to much national angst, frustration and the collective gnashing of Scottish teeth. Our Holy Grail as a nation is to be involved again at the pinnacle of world football!
June To July: A Global Summer Of Soccer
International soccer competitions are traditionally held at the end of the UEFA (European) football season, typically beginning in early June and running into mid-July. Due to the 2022 global tournament being held in Qatar, the Middle East’s climate necessitated an unprecedented calendar shift, with matches taking place in November and December of 2022.
With an expanded field of participating nations increasing from 32 to 48 for 2026, the qualification period has been condensed, with the draw held in December 2025.
United States, Canada And Mexico As Hosts
In 2026, matches will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico, spanning multiple cities and regions. The match schedule runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026, with short rest periods between later-stage rounds.
Early stages of competition will include multiple matches across different cities on the same day, giving fans the opportunity to experience a wide variety of host destinations throughout the summer.
Take In Some Games With HGV As Your Home Base
Smart use of your HGV membership can be a convenient way to plan your stay while exploring host cities and attending matches with a little forethought and flexibility. With 16 host locations and a range of HGV properties nearby, you can build an itinerary that lets you experience multiple destinations throughout your trip.
2026 City Schedule
Western Time Zone
Vancouver will host 7 games
Seattle will host 6 games
San Francisco Bay Area will host 6 games
Los Angeles will host 8 games
Central Time Zone
Guadalajara will host 4 games
Mexico City will host 5 games
Monterrey will host 4 games
Houston will host 7 games
Dallas will host 9 games
Kansas City will host 6 games
Eastern Time Zone
Atlanta will host 8 games
Miami will host 7 games
Toronto will host 6 games
Boston will host 7 games
Philadelphia will host 6 games
New York/New Jersey will host 8 games
Log in to the HGV app or website to plan your stay and experience the energy of match days across host cities.
And over to you, Scotland National Team — to ensure that the famous Tartan Army and I have a genuine interest in this global summer of soccer once again. No Scotland? No party (as the saying goes)!
Key Takeaways
International Soccer Comes to North America: Matches will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
More Matches, More Flexibility: With 48 teams and 16 host cities, fans have more opportunities to plan trips across multiple destinations.
HGV as a Convenient Home Base: An HGV membership can help you stay near host cities while minimizing travel between locations.
One Trip, Multiple Matches: Choosing the right location can make it possible to attend several matches from one home base.
Membership Adds Value: HGV membership offers flexibility and comfort throughout a travel experience centered around international soccer.
FAQs
Q: When are international soccer matches in 2026 taking place?
A: Matches are scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Q: How many cities will host matches?
A: There are 16 host cities across three countries, including major destinations such as Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey and Dallas.
Q: How can an HGV membership help with travel planning?
A: An HGV membership allows travelers to use select resorts near host cities as a home base, making it easier to plan stays while exploring multiple destinations.
Q: Is it possible to attend multiple matches in one trip?
A: Yes, many matches are scheduled within the same region, allowing travelers to attend several events without changing locations.
