The biggest sporting event on the planet is coming to Los Angeles this summer - and it's happening RIGHT HERE in our backyard! The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada, and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will be one of the main venues.
But the question every Polish fan in SoCal is asking: WILL POLAND BE THERE?
POLAND'S PATH TO THE WORLD CUP
Poland finished 2nd in UEFA Qualifying Group G, which means they didn't qualify automatically. But don't panic - there's still a chance through the UEFA Play-Offs!
PATH B SCHEDULE
Semi-Final - March 26, 2026
Poland vs. Albania (played in Poland)
Final - March 31, 2026
Winner plays against the winner of Ukraine vs. Sweden
If Poland wins both matches, they advance to World Cup Group F where they would face:
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Tunisia
Fingers crossed! Trzymamy kciuki!
WHERE WILL POLAND PLAY?
Important info for SoCal fans: Poland's Group F matches will NOT be at SoFi Stadium. Group F is hosted in Texas and Mexico:
β’ June 14 - Poland vs. Tunisia - Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico
β’ June 20 - Netherlands vs. Poland - NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
β’ June 25 - Japan vs. Poland - AT&T Stadium, Dallas, TX
BUT - if Poland advances from the group stage, they COULD play at SoFi Stadium in the knockout rounds! LA hosts two Round of 32 matches (June 28 and July 2) and a Quarter-Final (July 10). So if Bialo-Czerwoni make it out of the group, we might see them right here in Inglewood! That's even more reason to cheer them on!
8 MATCHES AT SOFI STADIUM
Here's the complete schedule for World Cup matches in Los Angeles:
GROUP STAGE
Match 4 - Friday, June 12 at 6:00 PM
USA vs. Paraguay (Group D)
The tournament opener in LA!
Match 15 - Monday, June 15 at 6:00 PM
Iran vs. New Zealand (Group G)
Match 26 - Thursday, June 18 at 12:00 PM
Switzerland vs. Play-Off Winner (Group B)
Match 39 - Sunday, June 21 at 12:00 PM
Belgium vs. Iran (Group G)
Match 59 - Thursday, June 25 at 7:00 PM
Play-Off Winner vs. USA (Group D)
KNOCKOUT STAGE
Match 73 - Sunday, June 28 at 12:00 PM
Round of 32
Match 84 - Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 PM
Round of 32
Match 98 - Friday, July 10 at 12:00 PM
Quarter-Final
All times Pacific (PT). All matches at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood.
FREE FAN ZONES ACROSS LOS ANGELES!
You don't need a ticket to experience the World Cup! The Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee has announced FREE Fan Zones across the city where you can watch matches on big screens with thousands of other fans:
The Original Farmers Market - June 18-21
City of Downey - June 20
Union Station & LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes - June 25-28
Hansen Dam Lake - July 2-5
Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Park - July 4-5 (Fourth of July weekend!)
Whittier Narrows - July 9-11
Venice Beach - July 11
Fairplex - July 14-15 & July 18-19
West Harbor - July 14-15 & July 18-19
All Fan Zones will feature live match screenings, food, music, and cultural programming - completely FREE!
FIFA FAN FESTIVAL AT THE LA COLISEUM
For an even bigger experience, the FIFA Fan Festival will transform the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum into a global celebration of football from June 11-15 (opening weekend). This ticketed event will feature live match broadcasts, music, cultural programming, interactive experiences, and food. Ticket prices will be announced in March 2026.
TICKETS - HOW TO GET THEM
Match tickets were available through a Random Selection Draw on FIFA.com. If you missed it, keep checking FIFA.com/tickets for additional releases and resale options.
Hospitality packages (which include game tickets) are available now through FIFA.com/hospitality via On Location, the Official Hospitality Provider.
Secondary market tickets are also available on platforms like SeatGeek and StubHub - but expect premium prices, especially for USA matches.
POLISH WATCH PARTIES IN SOCAL?
We're working on organizing Polish community watch parties for Poland's World Cup matches (if they qualify!). Imagine watching Lewandowski score at a packed Polish restaurant or bar in LA with hundreds of fellow Poles!
If you own a Polish restaurant, bar, or venue and want to host a World Cup watch party, contact us! We'll promote it to the entire SoCal Polish community.
And if you know of any Polish watch parties being organized, share the details in the comments!
KEY DATES TO REMEMBER
March 26, 2026 - Poland vs. Albania (Play-Off Semi-Final)
March 31, 2026 - Play-Off Final (if Poland advances)
June 11, 2026 - World Cup kicks off!
June 12, 2026 - First match at SoFi Stadium (USA vs. Paraguay)
July 10, 2026 - Quarter-Final at SoFi Stadium
July 19, 2026 - World Cup Final (MetLife Stadium, New Jersey)
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the World Cup in our own city. Whether Poland qualifies or not, the beautiful game is coming to LA - and the Polish community should be part of it!
Do przodu, Polska! Let's go!
Sources: FIFA.com, SoFi Stadium, FOX Sports, Los Angeles FWC26, PZPN, NBC Los Angeles
Will Poland qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Poland faces Albania on March 26, then the winner of Ukraine vs Sweden on March 31. Do you believe? π΅π±β½
Comments