2026 World Cup countries - what's on your list?

But if I had to pick 3, they are: Uzbekistan, Croatia and Egypt. Japan tops the list for a return visit.

Joy, those are picks of mine as well. And same with Japan (return visit). I would also add Mexico, Morocco, Brazil, and a return trip to Turkey. Oh what the heck, just add them all to the list!

My daughter and her family are at the World Cup right now—they had tickets to the Netherlands-Tunisia game yesterday and loved it!

Oh what the heck, just add them all to the list!

Now you are talking my language! How fun your daughter got tickets!

It was great! It took them a lot of angst, time and money, but that's their vacation this year and it was very important to them! They are having a wonderful time and loving it! Luckily they are able to stay with her dad, so no housing expenses.

Die Mannschaft (since the Azzurri shamefully didn't even qualify!). However, I won't be unhappy if an African country and/or Mexico (for reasons I can't mention here) makes it to the final and beyond.

I still have a wish list to see other parts of some of the countries that I've already been to. High on that list is more of inland Mexico after having loooved Mexico City. England and France will never leave my wish list no matter how many times I go.

Of the ones I haven't been to yet, Egypt and Morocco top the list. My dental hygienist is from Korea and keeps trying to convince me to go there. It's tempting since I can fly direct.

Allan, I feel the same about Japan and China. Also the US including national parks.

After seeing Türkiye upset the USA last night, I have that on my list.

Hoping you also saw this post about letting the winners decide for you: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/letting-the-world-cup-decide-my-plans

Plenty of countries on that list I'd love to visit, unfortunately some aren't currently options due to instability. But it's awesome to see some of their teams playing so well this tournament. I volunteer for a refugee resettlement nonprofit and on Saturday night we have a watch party for the DR Congo v. Uzbekistan match. We have many new neighbors from Congo, it should be a fun and rowdy time!

Mexico is a favorite of mine, but I’m not going to count that or Canada since they’re too close and easier to get to. So choosing from different areas and no where I’ve been before (my rule in this game), I’m going with Japan (the hikes look amazing), Colombia (been wanting to go there for years), and Cabo Verde (because they just seem fun).

CL - Thanks for flagging that post, I missed it. Fun poll but I'm not sure I'd let the winner decide. Good for the OP if he can wing it. From that short list of potential winners based on ranking, I've been to all.

KC - if you make it to Japan, I recommend a hike in the northern outskirts of Kyoto (Kurama to Kibune) in late spring.

Do it. I went to South Africa for the World Cup and it was one of the more amazing experiences of my life.

Since I'm letting the winner decide my fate :D I will say I do have a few favorite teams I'd like to see win and give me the excuse to visit. Japan for sure is a place I want to get to sooner rather than later. Closer to home (thus avoiding that monster flight to Asia) are Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia. I've loved the countries we've visited in South America, but those three we haven't been to yet and all remain in contention.

I look forward to the final group of 32 where I can further refine my options.

This is a fun question!

I have already visited 29 of these- Canada, Mexico, USA, Japan, Jordan, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and all of the UEFA countries.

My current short wishlist includes Uzbekistan and Cabo Verde... both have direct flights from London which is nice. For a longer trip I'm very keen on Ecuador and South Africa, and for a much longer trip (when one day I can take off several weeks at a time), Australia and New Zealand. I truly hope in my lifetime it's safe to visit Iran. But honestly I wouldn't say no to a trip to any of them!

Cat VH - I truly hope in my lifetime it's safe to visit Iran. But honestly I wouldn't say no to a trip to any of them!

Amen to that! Australia is on my longer wish list :-)

Joy, I don't follow soccer, but I didn't see Italy in your lists of countries. An oversight or are they not playing in this World Cup?

Have to add I am happy when one of the smaller and less-advantaged countries does well. Bravo for them!

Judy - Italy didn't qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A shocker!

This is actually an expanded WC with 48 countries, a record. I don't know details on qualification rounds, but it had a max of countries by each region. And I agree that seeing smaller countries and newbies playing a World Cup is exciting!

Tom R - I cheered hard for Ecuador and so happy they are moving to next round after game against Germany. Their emotion for moving to knockout round was touching to see.

Joy- thanks for the Japan hiking tip! And now I think I have to pull for them to beat Brazil in the group of 32. Sorry to Brazil but they didn’t make the cut in the Rick Steves Where am I Going Next tournament.

Just booked a tour to Morocco for 2027 - that will be the next country I visit that is a participant in this World Cup

GregW - Morocco is amazing! Which cities will you visit? And Morocco will be one of the co-hosts of 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Spain.
I was there last September and lots of infrastructure improvements happening for the WC.

Colombia put quite a show on their draw with Portugal yesterday. That was an intense game and showed Colombia is stronger than I thought.

@Joy I will be just going on a quick week long bus tour that includes Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fes, and Marrakesh. Just an intro to Morocco so to speak, but I will be spending an extra couple of days in Marrakesh beforehand. Won't be able to make it to Chefchaouen or the Sahara this time unfortunately.

KC - You should still visit Japan, but looks like not using the World Cup winner as predictor...

GregW - You are still seeing a lot in Morocco, great itinerary! I also toured with a bus after a few days alone in Marrakech, but didn't go to Meknes (I wish!).

I can only pick 3, lol?? Tops are Australia, Japan, and Morocco. I believe the next WC hosts are Spain/Portugal/Morocco, so we will be looking for tickets to matches in Morocco for sure. Argentina and South Africa are also high on the list to travel to - I have been wanting to go to Argentina for awhile, and my fiancé studied abroad in SA and wants to show me around.

We are in Mexico City now and it is fantastic. When we booked the trip, we didn't realize it would be during the World Cup and that we'd be here for the Mexico game. (Can you tell we aren't futbol fans?) We very much would like to come back sometime- when it's not the World Cup! I'll add a trip report later.

Luckily we’ve been to many of the WC countries. We too are going to Morocco September 2027 so that country is off my list.
My 3 would be Mexico City, Argentina, and Korea.
My husband is only interested in soccer and he is predicting France will take it all.

PS, being retired for 6 years now I still miss those office conversations. We had a very diverse office staff and it was always nice to hear different perspectives on subjects.

Melissa H - why keep only to 3 when you can put them all on the long list? (Per Mardee).

Coffee Girl that must be quite the experience to be in Mexico during the game! But I also understand the desire to return when things are calmer.

Barbara - I wish I could be retired so to have more flexibility for travel. But you have a valid point. Our office is small with 15 of us, 4 of which are immigrants, but all with unique backgrounds and perspectives.