American Airlines has officially announced a landmark partnership with FIFA, becoming the official North American airline supplier for the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 26.
This strategic alliance has positioned the leading U.S. carrier at the heart of connecting fans, teams, and stakeholders across Canada, Mexico, and the United States for the prestigious global football tournament.
As the designated airline supplier for North America, American Airlines will leverage its extensive network, encompassing over 2,200 daily flights to the 16 host cities of the FIFA World Cup 26. This robust infrastructure will ensure seamless and efficient travel throughout the event, underscoring the airline’s commitment to facilitating major international gatherings and fostering community engagement.
The agreement also entails close collaboration with Qatar Airways, the official global airline partner of FIFA through 2030. While Qatar Airways maintains exclusive international flight rights, the synergistic efforts of both Oneworld alliance partners will provide comprehensive travel solutions for both international and domestic journeys related to the World Cup. This coordinated approach promises a streamlined travel experience for the millions of fans expected to attend.
Speaking on the occasion, Caroline Clayton, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Communications of American Airlines, said, “We are proud to partner with FIFA and look forward to connecting fans to all FIFA World Cup 26 matches. As the home team for this historic event, we look forward to flying fans across North America to experience the passion, energy and diversity of the beautiful game.”
FIFA Chief Business Officer, Romy Gai, added, “Having American Airlines on board as an Official Supplier further enhances our ability to deliver an exceptional FIFA World Cup in 2026. Their unmatched domestic network and deep connection to the American public make them a great fit for a tournament that will captivate millions across North America.”
Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, continued, “As the Official Global Airline Partner of FIFA and the FIFA World Cup 2026, we are proud to play a central role in bringing fans from across the globe to this highly anticipated tournament. With American Airlines joining as the Official North American Airline Supplier and Oneworld partner, we believe that, together, through our expansive networks and world-class loyalty programs, we can offer millions of travellers a seamless and rewarding journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026.”
The FIFA World Cup 26 is poised to be a groundbreaking edition of the tournament, featuring an expanded format of 48 participating nations and co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Adding a local touch for American Airlines, its headquarters city of Dallas-Fort Worth will host nine matches, the highest number among the 16 host cities.
This strategic partnership between American Airlines and FIFA represents a powerful alliance dedicated to delivering an unparalleled and world-class experience for fans and participants of the FIFA World Cup 26 throughout North America.
American Airlines is a global leader in the aviation industry. With a vast network, American Airlines offers customers 6,800 daily flights to more than 350 destinations across over 50 countries. As a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, its partners collectively serve over 900 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to approximately 150 countries.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the global governing body for football, futsal, and beach soccer. FIFA comprises 211 member associations, organised into six continental confederations: CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia & Australia), UEFA (Europe), CONCACAF (North & Central America & Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), and OFC (Oceania).
The FIFA World Cup 26 will mark the 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup, the prestigious quadrennial international men’s football championship contested by the national teams of FIFA’s member associations. The expanded format will feature 48 teams competing in a total of 104 matches and is anticipated to be the most attended and viewed sporting event in history. The tournament continues to attract significant global brand partnerships, including Lenovo, The Home Depot, Verizon, Lay’s, Bank of America, On Location, Aramco, Visa, Qatar Airways and McDonald’s, further solidifying its global appeal.