Should I book World Cup hotels now or wait?

You should book now, but try to book a refundable or flexible rate.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, so waiting much longer can create logistical risks for flights, transit, and match-day planning even if some host cities are not yet sold out. At the same time, recent reporting from May 2026 suggests some major host-city hotels are still seeing softer-than-expected demand, so you may still have room to shop around rather than panic-buy.

Best approach

1. Reserve a flexible, fully refundable room now if you want to lock in your trip.
2. Keep checking prices over the next few weeks, since some hotels may still discount if demand stays soft.
3. Cancel and rebook if you find a better refundable deal later.

If you’re looking at a smaller host city, or a hotel very close to the venue or a major transit hub, it’s smarter to book sooner rather than later. Exact availability and rates can change quickly, so check the official hotel and travel sources before you commit.