Excitement is already building with the event, which is taking place across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, promising an unrivalled experience over its 39 days.
However, the increased size and scale of next year’s tournament, with 104 matches taking place across 16 stadiums, brings a range of challenges that everyone involved must address.
Allan Kennedy, chief financial officer at Holafly, discusses how roaming is a major pain point for those travelling to North America for the World Cup – and why they should opt for an eSIM:
“Roaming in North America remains one of the most expensive pitfalls for international travellers. For fans and businesses heading to the 2026 World Cup, a few days of maps, match updates and messages could quickly translate into eye-watering charges for those relying on standard UK roaming plans.
“The modern tournament experience is lived through a mobile device – from QR match tickets and stadium navigation to live stats and ride-sharing. While North America is notoriously pricey for data, an eSIM allows travellers to lock in their spending before they even reach the airport. By opting for an eSIM, fans can enjoy unlimited data for a single upfront cost, eliminating the 'bill shock' of premium roaming rates.
“Beyond the savings, the primary advantage is convenience. An eSIM can be installed in minutes at home via a QR code; once you land in a host city, your phone connects automatically. There’s no need to hunt for local SIM shops or swap physical cards while navigating a busy terminal. What’s more in unfamiliar, high-traffic host cities, reliable data is a safety essential. It ensures instant access to digital tickets, translation tools and secure transport, while also reducing the need to rely on public WiFi – a major security vulnerability.
“Those attending the tournament ought to focus on the magic of the game – streaming replays and sharing memories – without the looming shadow of a data limit. In 2026, the smartest play happens before kick-off: securing a connection that is as fast and reliable as the matches taking place."
