FIFA has revealed the host cities for the 2026 World Cup, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. The decision followed a stiff competition between New York and Dallas, ultimately securing the July 19 final for MetLife Stadium. This event marks the culmination of the expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament will kick off at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 11, showcasing a total of 104 matches across 16 state-of-the-art stadiums in the three host countries. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed excitement about the most inclusive and impactful World Cup ever, emphasizing the extensive planning focused on players and fans.
Semi-finals will be held in Atlanta and Dallas, while Miami will host the third-place game. The quarter-final matches are distributed among Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston. Among the 16 host cities, the majority of matches will be held in the USA.
MetLife Stadium, with a seating capacity of 82,500, will host the final, continuing the tradition of international football games, including the 2016 Copa America final. The decision was broadcasted live in North America, featuring notable personalities such as Kevin Hart, Drake, and Kim Kardashian.
Notably, Azteca Stadium becomes the first venue to host World Cup games in three editions (1970, 1986, and 2026). The tournament coincides with the 250th anniversary of American independence, with a special round-of-16 game scheduled for July 4 in Philadelphia.
The tournament expansion to 48 teams will bring an additional 24 matches, resulting in a total of 104 games across the 16 venues. The format includes 12 groups of four teams, with the top two advancing, along with the eight best third-placed teams. The knock-out stage will feature a straight format, with finalists playing eight games.
The match schedule, yet to be finalized, aims to minimize travel for teams, and the full draw is expected in late 2025. Group fixtures are designed to avoid cross-coast travel, allowing teams to choose team bases within their group’s region. The 16 host cities include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Guadalajara, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Miami, Monterrey, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, Toronto, and Vancouver.
