FIFA revealed that the 2026 World Cup final will unfold at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey. The decision, disclosed on Sunday, comes after an intense bid process, with New York successfully fending off competition from Dallas to secure the grand finale on July 19. The 48-team tournament will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
According to AFP, the tournament will commence on June 11 with the opening game at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium, setting the stage for 104 matches across 16 state-of-the-art stadiums in the three North American countries. FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm about the “most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever,” emphasizing its significance as a reality shaping up with an indelible legacy.
The semifinals will be held in Atlanta and Dallas, while Miami will host the third-place game. Quarter-final games are distributed across Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.
MetLife Stadium, with a seating capacity of 82,500, has a rich history of hosting international football events, including the 2016 Copa America tournament final. The venue’s selection as the site for the 2026 World Cup final recognizes its status as a global city with excellent transportation connections.
While Dallas’s AT&T Stadium missed out on hosting the final, it secured nine total games, the highest among all venues. Los Angeles faced challenges due to disagreements with FIFA over upgrades to SoFi Stadium, ultimately impacting its bid.
A historic highlight is the Azteca Stadium becoming the first venue to host World Cup games in three separate editions, having previously hosted the finals in 1970 and 1986. The 2026 World Cup will also coincide with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, with Philadelphia hosting a round-of-16 game on Independence Day.
The expanded tournament format, featuring 48 teams, adds 24 matches, making a total of 104 games across the 16 venues. The draw for the tournament is anticipated in late 2025, with group fixtures designed to minimize cross-coast travel for teams.
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. As anticipation builds, the 2026 World Cup promises to be a landmark event celebrating the spirit of football on North American soil.
