Although this is one of the most spread out World Cups in history, there are a few city-pair distances that are reasonably short. In fact, a couple can be driven in less than three hours.

New York-Philadelphia

The city centers in New York and Philadelphia are separated by just 95 miles, and that distance can be driven in about 100 minutes. It can also be traversed via Amtrak in around that amount of time while several bus companies offer transportation between these cities as well.

This narrow strip of land will feature 10 group stage matches and four knockout phase showdowns. Included in the latter group of games are two round of 32 matches, one round of 16 contest and the final. The only one of those not being played in the New York metropolitan area is the round of 16 match.

Note that the cities that are really hosting these games – East Rutherford, N.J., and Philadelphia – are also 95 miles from each other.

Vancouver-Seattle

Vancouver, B.C., and Seattle are only 145 miles apart. However, if you are going to make the trip between these two World Cup host cities, keep in mind that they are in different countries and that the international border crossing between them will add to your travel time. In any case, you could take Amtrak or a bus between them.

If you want to set up your personal World Cup headquarters in either city or perhaps roughly midway between them in Bellingham, Wash., you will be situated near nine group stage matches and four knockout phase contests, two apiece in the rounds of 32 and 16.

Boston-New York

Next on this list is the pairing of Boston and New York, which are separated by 215 miles. Depending on traffic, this drive should take less than four hours while Amtrak and plenty of bus options are also available for the journey. In fact, Acela train journeys are often scheduled for less than four hours.

Fans in this region will get to experience 10 group stage contests and five knockout phase matches during the World Cup. Three of those will be round of 32 games while a quarterfinal will take place in New England and the final will be played near New York City.

The World Cup stadiums in these metropolitan areas are actually situated in Foxborough, Mass., and East Rutherford, N.J. Those cities are 205 miles apart.

Dallas-Houston

Although the common saying is that “everything is bigger” in Texas, its World Cup host cities, Dallas and Houston, are not that far from each other. In fact, of the 120 World Cup city pairs, this one features the fourth-shortest distance at 240 miles. It can be driven in about three-and-a-half hours. However, public transport is not nearly as recommended here as it is for the Northeast, and Amtrak’s not even a direct option.

Those having a Texas-focused World Cup experience will have 10 group stage matches and six knockout phase games to choose from. Five of those elimination contests are in the rounds of 32 and 16 while a semifinal will take place in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Arlington, Texas, is actually where AT&T Stadium is based; the distance between Arlington and Houston is 255 miles.

Boston-Philadelphia

The two World Cup cities on both sides of New York City are also relatively close to each other at 305 miles. That drive, depending on traffic, should take less than five hours. An Amtrak train, whether a high-speed Acela or a regular one, and various bus options are available for this Northeast city pair as well.

Combining the schedules of matches in the Boston, New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas results in 15 games in the group stage and six in the knockout phase.

The distance between actual World Cup host city Foxborough, Mass., and Philadelphia is 295 miles.

Mexico City-Guadalajara

The only completely non-U.S. city pair on this list features Mexico City and Guadalajara. They have 340 miles of road between them, and the drive is about seven hours. Meanwhile, local buses can also get you from one or the other, but you may want to fly instead.

These cities will combine to host seven contests in the group stage and two in the knockout phase with both of those elimination showdowns, in the rounds of 32 and 16, taking place in Mexico City.

Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, is specifically where World Cup matches will be played, and it is 345 miles from Mexico City.

San Francisco-Los Angeles

The Bay Area’s focal point, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are 385 miles apart. The amount of time that that drive will take depends highly on traffic but will usually last six hours. Those cities are also far enough apart that most will choose to fly, but you could take Amtrak or a bus if you prefer.

Ten group stage games are scheduled to be played in California during this World Cup while both communities will host round of 32 contests. In fact, two of those will be played in the L.A. metropolitan area; a quarterfinal will as well.

Keep in mind that Bay Area World Cup matches are being contested in Santa Clara, which is 45 miles southeast of San Francisco, while games in Southern California will take place in Inglewood, which borders L.A. The distance between Santa Clara and Inglewood is 350 miles.

Conclusion

Although most World Cup cities are far from each other, there are a few city pairs, especially in the Northeast and Cascadia, where traveling between them can be done easily and quickly. As a result, focusing your World Cup experiences on those concentrated regions is a way to be close to a higher number of World Cup matches.

In any case, Sofascore will provide you with all of the information and live scores of all of these games.