2026 FIFA World Cup: Host Cities and Match Schedule Revealed
The anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is building as the host cities and match schedule have been officially announced. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will come together to host the first-ever 48-team edition of the tournament, promising to deliver the biggest knockout tournament in soccer history. With 104 matches set to take place, fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the spectacle that awaits them.
New York/New Jersey Secures the Final
In a surprising turn of events, New York/New Jersey has been chosen to host the final on July 19, 2026. Despite early favorites Los Angeles and Dallas, the momentum shifted towards the bid from New York/New Jersey, ultimately securing the showpiece event in men’s global soccer. This decision has solidified the city’s status as a premier destination for sporting events.
Group Matches for the Host Nations
The host nations, United States, Mexico, and Canada, have all been granted automatic places at the tournament. However, the remaining 45 teams will still need to qualify. Mexico will kick off the World Cup’s opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11. They will then play in Guadalajara on June 18 and return to Mexico City on June 24.
The USMNT will start their campaign in Los Angeles on June 12, followed by a match in Seattle on June 19 before returning to Los Angeles on June 26. Canada will play their first match in Toronto on June 12, with their second and third group matches taking place in Vancouver on June 18 and 24.
Winners and Losers
New York/New Jersey emerged as the big winner in the host city selection, beating out other strong contenders. Dallas, however, can take solace in hosting the most matches of any city during the tournament. Overall, Dallas Stadium will host a total of nine matches, showcasing its significance in the World Cup.
The United States will host all the knockout matches from the quarterfinals onwards. However, the USMNT will need to progress beyond the group stage for fans outside of the West Coast to witness their matches. Canada’s 10 group stage games will be split between Toronto and Vancouver, with Vancouver also hosting a round of 16 game.
The Expanded Format
The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded format, with 12 groups of four teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the first knockout stage, along with the eight best-performing third-placed teams. This new format will provide more opportunities for teams to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Stadium Breakdown
The competition will be spread across 16 stadiums in the three host countries. U.S. cities such as New York, Dallas, Miami, Kansas City, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, and Boston will be joined by Mexican venues Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, as well as Canadian cities Vancouver and Toronto.
AT&T Stadium in Dallas will host the most matches out of any stadium, with a total of nine matches scheduled. MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey will host eight matches, including the highly anticipated men’s World Cup final. Other notable stadiums include Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Exciting Times Ahead
With the host cities and match schedule now revealed, soccer fans around the world can start planning their trips to witness the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament promises to be a spectacle like no other, with an expanded format and a record number of matches. As the countdown begins, excitement is building for what is set to be an unforgettable event in soccer history.
