Teams face record travel demands during 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup features teams traveling unprecedented distances across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This tournament will require more travel than any previous World Cup, leading to long flights and frequent time zone changes. Experts state that this travel can adversely affect players' performance, with fatigue and muscle stiffness becoming major factors. Curacao faces the longest travel distance, approximately 6,289 miles round-trip, whereas Paraguay has one of the lightest schedules at 642 miles. As teams navigate logistics and recovery, their success may hinge not only on skills but also on effective travel management.

• 1:45 PMYahoo Sports — World Cup travel demands could shape match outcomes as teams log record miles across North America