The 2026 World Cup is in three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico. English will work almost everywhere in the USA and Canada, and it is common in Mexican tourist cities, airports and stadium zones.
This guide gives you the short, useful English phrases that solve real problems. Read them before you travel. Write the most important ones on your phone or save them as voice notes.
At the Airport
These are the questions you will ask first after you land.
| Where is the exit? | ¿Dónde está la salida? / Où est la sortie? |
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| Where is the baggage claim? | ¿Dónde recojo mi maleta? / Où est-ce que je récupère mes bagages? |
| Where is the taxi stand? | ¿Dónde está la parada de taxis? / Où est le taxi? |
| Where is immigration? | ¿Dónde está inmigración? / Où est l'immigration? |
| I have a connection to... | Tengo una conexión a... / J'ai une correspondance pour... |
| I am here for the World Cup. | Estoy aquí por el Mundial. / Je suis ici pour la Coupe du monde. |
| I am here as a tourist. | Vengo de turismo. / Je suis ici en tant que touriste. |
| Do I need a visa? | ¿Necesito visa? / Ai-je besoin d'un visa? |
Tip: Keep your passport and a printed copy of your match ticket or hotel booking in your hand. You may need to show them at immigration.
Getting a Taxi or Rideshare
Taxi and Uber drivers often speak fast. Use short, clear sentences.
| How much is it to go to...? | ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a...? / Combien ça coûte pour aller à...? |
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| Please use the meter. | Use el taxímetro, por favor. / Mettez le compteur, s'il vous plaît. |
| Can you take me to this address? | ¿Puede llevarme a esta dirección? / Pouvez-vous me conduire à cette adresse? |
| Stop here, please. | Pare aquí, por favor. / Arrêtez-vous ici, s'il vous plaît. |
| Wait a moment, please. | Espere un momento, por favor. / Attendez un moment, s'il vous plaît. |
| How long does it take? | ¿Cuánto tiempo tarda? / Ça prend combien de temps? |
| Please take the highway. | Vaya por la autopista, por favor. / Prenez l'autoroute, s'il vous plaît. |
Tip: Show your destination on a map app on your phone. Point and say "Can you take me here?" It is the simplest way.
At the Hotel
| I have a reservation under the name... | Tengo una reserva a nombre de... / J'ai une réservation au nom de... |
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| What time is check-out? | ¿A qué hora es el check-out? / À quelle heure faut-il libérer la chambre? |
| Is there wifi? | ¿Hay wifi? / Il y a du wifi? |
| What is the wifi password? | ¿Cuál es la contraseña del wifi? / Quel est le mot de passe du wifi? |
| Can you store my luggage? | ¿Puede guardar mi equipaje? / Pouvez-vous garder mes bagages? |
| The air conditioning is not working. | El aire acondicionado no funciona. / La climatisation ne marche pas. |
| I need a towel. | Necesito una toalla. / J'ai besoin d'une serviette. |
| My room key does not work. | Mi llave de la habitación no funciona. / Ma clé de chambre ne marche pas. |
Buying Food and Drinks
| What do you recommend? | ¿Qué recomienda? / Que recommandez-vous? |
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| Does this have meat? | ¿Esto lleva carne? / Est-ce que ceci contient de la viande? |
| I am allergic to... | Soy alérgico/a a... / Je suis allergique à... |
| No spice, please. | Sin picante, por favor. / Sans piment, s'il vous plaît. |
| The bill, please. | La cuenta, por favor. / L'addition, s'il vous plaît. |
| Is service included? | ¿Está incluido el servicio? / Le service est-il inclus? |
| To take away. | Para llevar. / À emporter. |
| To eat here. | Para comer aquí. / À manger ici. |
| One water, please. | Un agua, por favor. / Une eau, s'il vous plaît. |
| Two beers, please. | Dos cervezas, por favor. / Deux bières, s'il vous plaît. |
Tip: In the USA and Canada, water is usually free at restaurants. In Mexico, you may need to buy a bottle. Say "tap water, please" for free water in the USA/Canada.
Finding the Police or Getting Help
| I need help. | Necesito ayuda. / J'ai besoin d'aide. |
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| Call the police, please. | Llame a la policía, por favor. / Appelez la police, s'il vous plaît. |
| Where is the nearest police station? | ¿Dónde está la comisaría más cercana? / Où est le commissariat le plus proche? |
| I was robbed. | Me robaron. / On m'a volé. |
| I lost my passport. | Perdí mi pasaporte. / J'ai perdu mon passeport. |
| I need a doctor. | Necesito un médico. / J'ai besoin d'un médecin. |
| Where is the hospital? | ¿Dónde está el hospital? / Où est l'hôpital? |
| Can I use your phone? | ¿Puedo usar su teléfono? / Je peux utiliser votre téléphone? |
At the Stadium
| Where is my seat? | ¿Dónde está mi asiento? / Où est mon siège? |
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| Which gate should I use? | ¿Qué puerta debo usar? / Quelle porte dois-je utiliser? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño? / Où sont les toilettes? |
| How much is a scarf? | ¿Cuánto cuesta una bufanda? / Combien coûte une écharpe? |
| Which team is playing? | ¿Qué equipo juega? / Quelle équipe joue? |
| When does the match start? | ¿Cuándo empieza el partido? / Le match commence quand? |
Numbers You Will Use
Learn numbers 1 to 10 for prices, addresses and tickets.
| 1 | one |
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| 2 | two |
| 3 | three |
| 4 | four |
| 5 | five |
| 6 | six |
| 7 | seven |
| 8 | eight |
| 9 | nine |
| 10 | ten |
The One Sentence That Solves Everything
> Can you speak more slowly, please? > ¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor? > Pouvez-vous parler plus lentement, s'il vous plaît?
If you do not understand, use this sentence. People usually slow down and repeat.
Useful One-Word Answers
| Yes | You agree. |
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| No | You disagree. |
| Please | You want something politely. |
| Thank you / Thanks | Someone helps you. |
| Sorry | You make a small mistake or want attention. |
| Excuse me | You want to pass, ask a question, or stop someone. |
| Help | You need urgent help. |
| Bathroom? | You are looking for the toilet. |
| Police? | You are looking for the police. |
Quick Pronunciation Tips
- th in "thanks" and "three" is soft. Put your tongue between your teeth and blow air. Do not say "tanks" or "tree".
- Can and can't are important. "Can" = yes, you can. "Can't" = no, you cannot.
- Speak slowly. English speakers understand you better if you speak slowly and clearly.
- Point at the same time. Your phone screen, a map, a ticket or your arm is a universal language.
Save This on Your Phone
Before you fly, copy these three lines into your notes:
- I am here for the World Cup.
- Can you speak more slowly, please?
- I need help.
Keep your hotel address written in English too. Show it to taxi drivers. A phone screenshot with the address and a small flag icon works in every country.
Practice these English travel sentences with Tango's spoken sentence puzzles. Hear the phrases, build them in order, and speak them out loud before you travel. Try the puzzle game →
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