What should you know about the World Cup? See for yourself with these top stories
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off Thursday in Mexico City, with the first Miami match on Monday at Hard Rock Stadium.
From ticket prices to weather worries to traffic plans, here’s a digest of the top stories shaping the tournament in South Florida:
- Airbnb ticket giveaway: Airbnb is offering about 1,300 free World Cup game tickets across 16 host cities, including Miami, as short-term rental demand growth has slowed. Qualifying stays must average $385 a night and display a soccer ball icon, with rentals released in phases through the July 19 final.
- Storm chances for opener: There’s a 50% to 60% chance of thunderstorms on June 15 during the first Miami match between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, with peak activity from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. FIFA protocols require play to stop if lightning is detected within eight miles of the stadium, triggering a mandatory 30-minute clock.
- Hard Rock becomes Miami Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium will be temporarily renamed Miami Stadium during the World Cup because FIFA prohibits venues from being named for companies that aren’t official sponsors. The seven Miami matches are estimated to generate $1.3 billion in economic impact.
- Getting around Miami: Miami-Dade County is offering free coach bus shuttles to verified ticket holders from four hub sites on the seven match days between June 15 and July 18. Uber Shuttle will also operate $45-per-seat service from Miami Beach, Brickell and downtown, making Miami the only host city where Uber activates the service before matches.
- Ticket prices soar on resale: FIFA says face value tickets start at $60 for group matches, but fans may need to turn to the secondary market to attend matches. As of early this week, the cheapest Miami match, Saudi Arabia vs. Uruguay, starts at $363 on StubHub, while Colombia vs. Portugal tickets runs as high as $51,298.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.