WANT to score big for the 2026 World Cup? Then start planning now.
Price-comparison site Skyscanner saw a 340 per cent increase in searches for flights from the UK to host nations the US, Canada and Mexico on Saturday after the draw.
Don’t panic, though, as there’s still time to bag a deal and plan the ultimate holiday.
Sophie Swietochowski has tips for booking a World Cup trip, with things to see and do in the cities where England will be competing.
Dallas, Texas
England v Croatia, June 17
IT may be a booming skyscraper city, but Dallas has managed to maintain that classic Southern charm for which Texas, the second largest state in the US, is so well known.
Even non-footie fans may be familiar with its 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium, home to the NFL’s Cowboys and America’s most famous cheerleading squad, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
A dedicated fan zone will take over Fair Park – a 277-acre parkland in the city centre which annually hosts the State Fair of Texas as well as regular festivals.
More details, including dates and activities, are yet to be revealed.
It would be a sin to visit Texas and not dine at a barbecue joint.
Cattleack Barbeque in North Dallas is one of the best, and it is featured in the Michelin guide for good reason.
Meats are scorched on oak-fired smokers and served with tangy pickles, cornbread, mac and cheese and “Granny’s coleslaw”. Go for the wagyu brisket.
If England win big, take the celebrations to Deep Ellum, the arty entertainment district known for its music venues and boisterous cocktail bars.
New York
England v Panama, June 27
IF you have never been to the Big Apple, you’re in for an absolute treat.
England will be taking on Panama at the MetLife Stadium, which sits just across the water from Manhattan and can be reached from Times Square in around 20 minutes by cab on a good day.
If it is your first time, you’ll want to tick off the must-sees, and the best way to do that is with a CityPass.
You can pick one up for around £100 per child and £120 per adult.
It is a rather hefty outlay, but it will save you money in the long run.
Passholders will gain entry to the Empire State Building Observatory and the American Museum of Natural History, as well as their pick of three other attractions, such as the Top of the Rock Observation Deck, 9/11 Memorial & Museum and Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Booked independently, these would add up to almost £200.
The city promises to be even more buzzy than usual during the summer, thanks to a fan village that will open at the Rockefeller Center (July 4-19).
Expect interactive soccer pitches, live match viewing, musical performances and guest appearances.
And if that’s not enough, across the bridge, Jersey’s Liberty State Park will play host to the huge Fifa Fan Festival from June 11 to July 19.
Some of NYC’s most breathtaking landmarks, such as the Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, will provide the backdrop to interactive experiences and concerts.
Atlanta, Georgia
IF England are successful in the initial stages and win their group, the Three Lions head to Atlanta for their first knockout match.
The Centennial Olympic Park will play host to the Fan Festival there, exactly 30 years after it welcomed the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.
Elsewhere in the state capital, you can walk in the footsteps of the civil rights activist at the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park.
Or uncover the secrets of Britain’s favourite fizzy drink at the World Of Coca-Cola.
The museum feaures interactive exhibits and hosts a vault that guards the secret recipe.
Mexico City
HERE’S hoping our boys battle it through to the last 16, because that means we will likely be playing in Mexico City.
What better way to celebrate a win (or drown your sorrows) than in the birthplace of tequila?
Licoreria Limantour is frequently named in the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars thanks to its creative concoctions (there are classic drinks, too).
There’s likely to be more than just official fan zones — the Mexicans know how to party so come prepared.
But there’s so much more to do, including the Basilica of Guadalupe temple ruins, museums, cable cars and parks.
Boston
HOME to the world-famous Harvard University, America’s oldest public park and a vibrant harbour, the city of Boston has some great stories to tell from down the years.
Games will take place at the Gillette Stadium, which is being temporarily renamed the Boston Stadium for the World Cup.
It sits in the town of Foxborough, around an hour on the train from the main city of Boston, so you might want to book a stay a little farther out if you wish to save those pennies.
But make sure you don’t miss out on the delights of the city, which has an incredibly rich history.
You can learn all about it and the American Revolution on the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which will guide you to 16 culturally significant sites, from museums and churches to meeting houses and burying grounds.
And why sample one Boston foodie tradition when you can do several at once?
Head to Quincy Market, a huge food hall that dates back to 1826 where you can pick up classic New England grub like clam chowder, lobster rolls and the notorious Boston cream pie.
The whereabouts and details of the fan zone are still being decided upon for this city, but you can guarantee there’ll be lots of footie-themed fun.