Need to Know for FIFA 26’ FAQ
- Emanuel Cruz
- Jan 25
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 26
Presented by: Inside The Lens
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First, they took “Minute Maid Park” now, NRG?!?! “Houston Stadium” will be the official name for NRG this year as we enter the FIFA World. Let’s talk about it.
Did you know that Houstonians take their park names seriously? (KHOU11 gives a deeper dive into this bittersweet name change) Due to FIFA’s policies, NRG Stadium, once known as Reliant Stadium before being bought out by NRG, will be known as “Houston Stadium” for FIFA 2026’.
So, more about the scheduling:
Having FIFA 26’ spread out throughout North America, Houston’s series will get 5 Group Stage matches, 1 match in the Round 32, and lastly 1 match in the Round 16. Certain games are fixed, while others remain tentative based on final standings. The schedule below reflects the confirmed opponents as of January, 2026.
June 14, 2026 | Germany vs. Curaçao |
June 23, 2026 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan |
June 26,2026 | Cape Verde vs. Saudia Rabia |
June 17, 2026 | Portugal vs. TBD |
June 20, 2026 | Netherlands vs. TBD |
June 29,2026 | 1C vs. 2F |
July 4, 2026 | W73 vs. W75 |
Below is the TBD schedule, which will be updated by FIFA’s website as the games progress.
Transportation:
With an estimated 100,000 people, around the same as the population of Tonga, arriving in the City of Houston between October 12th and November 1st, Houston traffic will be crazy, so here are my tips and tricks.
Public Transportation:
The METRORail is a great source of transportation when you’re traveling within the heart of the city. What is in the heart, you may ask? The Metrorail contains the museum district, Texas Medical center, NRG Park, and two additional lines that take you to Shell Energy Stadium and the Theater District. If you stay inside of Houston, this is one of the best ways to get around and at a budget-friendly price starting at $3 a day.
Additionally, METRORail also offers the METRO Buses, which typically stop at every other Houston corner with prices ranging from $2 to $4.50.
Private Transportation:
Uber, Lyft, and Taxis all live in the city of Houston. With so much availability, it is smart to order your choice of transportation at least 15 minutes to 30 minutes before you plan on leaving due to traffic, which means the traffic for the driver to get to you and for you to get to your destination.
Although app-based transportation can be pre-scheduled, it can add up after a few trips. For some trips, like the one from the airport to the hotel, might be unavoidable, and you must use an app-based transportation, but you can also use other transportation available, like shuttles and cabs.
But, when it comes down to traveling inside the Central Business District, bounded by the interstate 45, Interstate 10, and U.S. 59 there is $6 cab fare anywhere downtown.
Taxi Zone Map, provided by the City of Houston
Parking:
As of 2023, “26 percent of the city center serves as parking spaces” , which makes it easily accessible to find parking spots almost anywhere in Houston. Some of the more well-known areas will have lots available but will get pricier the closer you get to the venue (Make sure to check your events and restaurants & check in advance how their parking lot works).
Street parking in Houston typically first comes first serve, but due to the number of people in Houston at that time, I would recommend sticking to lots and making sure to do a lap around the lots due to the change of price depending on the venue. Prices range from 10$-55$ so it is crucial to not get stopped by the first flagger that flags you to their lot.
With NRG parking being so complicated due to the number of total gates and parking lots, it is better to check which parking lot you purchased and see which gates take you fastest to your seat and provide directions towards your desired gate/parking lot.
NRG Park does an excellent job facilitating fans on how to get to their gates on their website below.
Where to Stay?
Exploring a new city is no easy task, so why should putting a roof over your head be the same? Airbnb is popular in Houston, and in my opinion, the best way to enjoy your travels at a budget-friendly cost, averaging from $200~ $5,000 obviously depending on your necessities.
On the other hand, if hotels are what you prefer, NRG Park has a great resource for hotels in the area.
What to do & What to eat?
Houston, being one of the most diverse city makes it great to explore due to its abundance of activities.
From farmer markets to museums, to authentic cuisines from all over the world, make Houston versatile to all kinds of people.
POST Houston is a “must-go” when you are in Houston. What does it have to offer? Food, shopping, music venues, and more.
The Houston Museum District is a international recognized art center due to its numerous museums. From exhibits for younger learners to adult exhibits, I can promise you there will be something in your interest. The best way you can check this out without having to walk 10 miles would be by using Houston’s city site.
Now, if you ask me, I’ll point you in the right direction, but since no one ever asks me where to eat, I’d recommend using the cities site to find the restaurant that you have been craving without realizing it.
In case I left you wondering, my favorite area to eat around Houston is the Heights.
Even though the Heights is 15 minutes away from NRG, I would recommend eating at the Heights Bier Garten and enjoying some Brussels sprouts with a burger.
Bier Garten : 1433N Sheperd Dr, Houston 77008
Photo by: Emanuel Cruz
Now, if you’re craving something “trashier,” I would recommend the Waffle Bus, which has two locations in Houston but has the best creation known to man, the “fryders”.
Waffle Bus: 1835N Sheperd Dr, Houston 77008
Photo by: Emanuel Cruz
Now, if you're traveling South, you can find, in my opinion, the best Asian grill called Nobi Public House with the best spring rolls and the best Bahn mi I have ever had. Not only is Nobi on this side of town, but also Space Center Houston, which has must see Exhibits and Experiences.
Nobi Public House: 241 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX, 77598
Space Center Houston 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Webster, TX, 77508
Tickets for Space Center: https://tickets.spacecenter.org/webstore/shop/viewitems.aspx
Farmers Markets:
Navigation Esplanade:
Every Sunday, there will be a farmers’ market at Navigation Esplanade open from 10 am- 2 pm offering fruits, vegetables, arts and crafts, and more.
Address: 2600 Navigation, Houston, TX 770032
The Houston Farmers Market:
The Houston Farmers Market is open daily from 6:00 am to 7:30 pm, offering sauces, jellies, and individual vendors selling Mexican-style market items, as well as kitchen appliances. MAKE SURE TO BRING CASH, as most vendors only accept cash.
Address: 2520 Airline Dr., Houston, TX 77009
Oktoberfest events, Halloween activities, and Festivals always going around its best to stay up to date with the site below due to Texas’s uncertain weather. Also, Monster Jam will be at NRG Oct 18-19.
Bibliography
Getting around in Houston. Visit Houston. (n.d.). https://www.visithoustontexas.com/travel-planning/getting-to-and-around-houston/getting-around-houston/
Heckler, A. (2025, February 28). Houston is the 2nd most diverse major American city in 2025. CultureMap Houston. https://houston.culturemap.com/news/city-life/arlington-most-diverse-cities-2025/
Hobby taxi rate zone map (.pdf). (n.d.-a). https://www.houstontx.gov/ara/vfh/vfhdocs/hobby-taxizonemap.pdf
Homer, M., & Kless, T. (n.d.). Fans embrace bittersweet transition as Daikin Park Branding Replaces minute maid signs at Astros Ballpark. https://www.khou.com/article/sports/mlb/astros/houston-astros-daikin-park-signs/285-05c33f02-9460-4380-83f7-ec1d7a0d4524
Houston. FIFA World Cup 2026 Hospitality from On Location. (n.d.-a). https://fifaworldcup26.hospitality.fifa.com/venues/houston?src=home_browse_by_location_city
More than one quarter of downtown Houston is dedicated to parking. (n.d.-b). https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/article/downtown-houston-parking-one-quarter-area-17888647.php
NASA. (2026, January 7). Bringing people & space closer together. Space Center Houston. https://spacecenter.org/?_gl=1%2A7rwrvy%2A_gcl_au%2AMzMyMTM3NzQ4LjE3NjkzNjUyMzk.&_ga=2.126043597.1949224408.1769365239-2056674805.1769365239
Tonga population (2025). Worldometer. (n.d.). https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/tonga-population/
“2026 FIFA World Cup - NRG Park.” NRG Park -, 7 Jan. 2026, www.nrgpark.com/event/2026-fifa-world-cup/. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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