The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the twenty-third edition of the FIFA World Cup. It will involve national teams from FIFA member associations. The tournament is scheduled to occur from June 16 to July 17, 2026, and it will be unique as the United States of America (USA), Canada, and Mexico will jointly host it. This marks the first time since the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan that the event is held in multiple countries.
World Cup 2026 host cities | World Cup locations
Soccer World Cup 2026
World Cup 2026 host cities
The United States of America (USA), Canada, and Mexico will jointly host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in 16 cities. The host cities for the tournament are:
United States: World Cup 2026 host cities
- Atlanta, Georgia (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Baltimore, Maryland (M&T Bank Stadium)
- Boston, Massachusetts (Gillette Stadium)
- Cincinnati, Ohio (Paul Brown Stadium)
- Dallas, Texas (AT&T Stadium)
- Denver, Colorado (Empower Field at Mile High)
- Houston, Texas (NRG Stadium)
- Kansas City, Missouri (Arrowhead Stadium)
- Los Angeles, California (Rose Bowl and SoFi Stadium)
- Miami, Florida (Hard Rock Stadium)
- Nashville, Tennessee (Nissan Stadium)
- New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Lincoln Financial Field)
- San Francisco/Santa Clara, California (Levi’s Stadium)
- Seattle, Washington (CenturyLink Field)
- Washington, D.C. (FedEx Field)
Canada: World Cup 2026 host cities
- Edmonton, Alberta (Commonwealth Stadium)
- Montreal, Quebec (Olympic Stadium)
- Toronto, Ontario (BMO Field)
Mexico: World Cup 2026 host cities
- Guadalajara, Jalisco (Akron Stadium)
- Mexico City, Mexico (Azteca Stadium)
- Monterrey, Nuevo Leon (BBVA Stadium)
This is the most host city ever to host a World Cup, surpassing the previous record of 13 host cities in the 2002 tournament.
World Cup 2026 location
The tournament is set to take place from June 16 to July 17, 2026. Three countries will jointly host the World Cup for the first time. This will be the first time North America has hosted it since 1994 when the United States hosted it. The tournament is poised to become the largest World Cup ever, both in terms of the number of teams and host cities. The final match will take place in MetLife Stadium located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How many teams will participate in the World Cup in the 2026 Qualifying battles?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from the current 32-team format. This is the first time the World Cup will feature 48 teams. A total of 16 groups, each consisting of three teams, will be formed for the 2026 tournament. The top two teams from each group will progress to the Round of 32 knockout stages. With this new format, an additional 16 matches will be played, making the total number of matches in the tournament reach 80.
The teams will qualify for the tournament through the usual process of participating in the Qualifiers. The format and schedule of the Qualifiers have not been announced. There is an expectation that the Qualifiers will commence in 2024. The teams will play through different confederations such as AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. The exact number of teams qualifying from each confederation has not been determined yet.
When did the next World Cup 2026 Qualifying matches start?
FIFA has not yet announced the exact schedule for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches. The Qualifiers for the 2026 tournament are expected to start in 2024. This is approximately two years before the scheduled tournament in 2026.
However, the format, structure, and schedule of the Qualifiers are yet to be determined and will be decided by FIFA in consultation with the confederations and member associations. The teams will play through different confederations such as AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA. The Qualifiers will determine which teams will qualify for the tournament.
Soccer stadiums in the US
The United States has many soccer stadiums. Many of them are home to Major League Soccer (MLS) teams, which is the top professional soccer league in the United States. Some of the notable stadiums in the United States that host soccer matches include:
- Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois
- CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey
- Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota
- Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California
- BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas
- Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas
- Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida
- Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
- Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah
- Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
- Providence Park in Portland, Oregon
There are many more stadiums throughout the country that host professional and amateur soccer matches. With the United States as the host, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature games held in 16 stadiums across the country.
Winners of Previous world cups
Since its inception in 1930, the FIFA World Cup has been the foremost international soccer tournament, taking place every four years. The following is a list of the winners of the previous World Cup tournaments:
- 1930: Uruguay
- 1934: Italy
- 1938: Italy
- 1950: Uruguay
- 1954: West Germany
- 1958: Brazil
- 1962: Brazil
- 1966: England
- 1970: Brazil
- 1974: West Germany
- 1978: Argentina
- 1982: Italy
- 1986: Argentina
- 1990: West Germany
- 1994: Brazil
- 1998: France
- 2002: Brazil
- 2006: Italy
- 2010: Spain
- 2014: Germany
- 2018: France
- 2022: Argentina
- 2026: ?
Brazil has won the tournament a record five times, followed by Germany and Italy with four wins each Argentina with three wins, and Uruguay with two wins. France and Spain have each won the tournament once. It’s worth mentioning that the last World Cup tournament was held in 2022 in Qatar, the first time held in the Middle East.
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a monumental event as it brings together the passion and enthusiasm of soccer fans from around the globe. With the joint hosting by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament will showcase the rich diversity and love for the sport across North America. The 16 host cities are ready to welcome teams and spectators alike, offering state-of-the-art stadiums and a memorable atmosphere.
As the tournament approaches, anticipation grows for the thrilling matches, talented players, and unforgettable moments that will define the 2026 World Cup. It is an opportunity for nations to compete on the world stage and for fans to come together in celebration of the beautiful game. The legacy of this tournament will leave a lasting impact, inspiring future generations and shaping the future of soccer.
