SoccerBasics

Who is hosting the 2026 World Cup?

Three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament runs June 11 – July 19, 2026. The final is at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The 2026 World Cup is the first ever hosted by three countries simultaneously, and the first held in North America since the United States hosted alone in 1994. Games are spread across 16 cities — 11 in the US, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada.

Most of the knockout rounds and the final are in the United States. The tournament opens in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca on June 11.

United States — 11 cities

CityVenue
New York / New JerseyFinalMetLife Stadium
Los AngelesThird place matchSoFi Stadium
DallasAT&T Stadium
San Francisco Bay AreaLevi's Stadium
SeattleLumen Field
MiamiHard Rock Stadium
AtlantaMercedes-Benz Stadium
Kansas CityArrowhead Stadium
PhiladelphiaLincoln Financial Field
HoustonNRG Stadium
BostonGillette Stadium

Mexico — 3 cities

CityVenue
Mexico CityOpening matchEstadio Azteca
GuadalajaraEstadio Akron
MonterreyEstadio BBVA

Canada — 2 cities

CityVenue
TorontoBMO Field
VancouverBC Place

Why three countries?

FIFA expanded the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams for 2026, which requires more stadiums than any single country could comfortably host on short notice. A joint bid from the three CONCACAF nations was the practical solution — and it was approved in 2018.

The US is hosting the most matches by far, including all games from the semifinals onward. The MetLife Stadium final is expected to be the most-watched single sporting event in US television history.

Venues are mostly NFL stadiums. Unlike most host countries that build or renovate soccer-specific stadiums, the US is primarily using existing NFL facilities. They're enormous — most seat 70,000–90,000 — and already have the infrastructure for major events.

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