Football Championship 2026 Host Cities
The anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is palpable, promising a spectacle like never before. With an expanded field of 48 teams, the tournament’s excitement is heightened as it embarks on a journey across three host countries: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In a groundbreaking move, these three nations will unite to showcase the world’s most beloved sport. The stage is set for a hundred and four (104) matches, each a chapter in the quest for the pinnacle of footballing glory.
FIFA recently unveiled the dates and venues for this monumental event. Kicking off the tournament on June 11, 2026, Mexico City will witness the fervour of the opening match with the US the next day.
As the tournament unfolds, the excitement will crescendo towards the pinnacle moment: the World Cup Final. On July 19, 2026, MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey) will serve as the majestic backdrop for the crowning of the next FIFA World Cup champion, marking the culmination of a journey filled with passion, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
What cities will host the 2026 Football Championship matches?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will showcase matches in sixteen (16) vibrant cities, each adding its unique flavour to the global celebration of soccer.
In the United States, eleven (11) dynamic cities eagerly await their role as hosts: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco/Bay Area, and Seattle. These cities boast rich soccer histories and passionate fan bases, ready to welcome the world to their stadiums.
Atlanta, known for its Southern hospitality, will charm visitors with its modern Mercedes-Benz Stadium, while Boston’s Gillette Stadium adds a touch of tradition to a soccer competition, given most of the other stadiums used are for other sports. Dallas emerges as a soccer powerhouse, set to host the most matches among all venues, with nine thrilling encounters scheduled at the impressive AT&T Stadium.
Meanwhile, Mexico showcases its soccer prowess through three iconic cities: Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. From the electric atmosphere of Estadio Akron in Guadalajara to the historic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, these venues promise unforgettable experiences for players and fans alike.
In Canada, Toronto and Vancouver proudly represent the nation’s soccer culture. Toronto’s BMO Field offers a picturesque setting against the city skyline, while Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium boasts a stunning retractable roof, ensuring matches are played rain or shine.
Divided into three regions—Eastern, Central, and Western—these host cities form the backbone of the tournament, each contributing its distinct character to the global spectacle of soccer. As the world converges on these bustling metropolises, the 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a celebration of sport, culture, and unity.
How were the 2026 Football Championship host cities selected?
Host cities were strategically grouped based on their geographic proximity to optimize travel logistics for teams and fans, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience throughout the tournament. However, an exception was made for Canada, which hosted the opening-game opponent in Toronto, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the competition.
A significant portion of the match allocation, 24 matches to be precise, was designated for the Central region, reflecting the concentration of host cities in this area. This decision aimed to minimize travel distances between venues and streamline the tournament schedule. Meanwhile, three groups were assigned to the Western region, highlighting the importance of spreading the tournament’s footprint across North America and showcasing the diversity of host cities on the West Coast.
The remaining host cities were situated in the Eastern region, where a shared-region group with Canada added to the excitement and cross-cultural exchange of the tournament. Cities in this region, including Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York/New Jersey, brought their unique charm and hospitality to the World Cup stage, contributing to the vibrant tapestry of soccer culture in North America.
In summary, the geographic grouping of host cities into three distinct regions—Western, Central, and Eastern—allowed for efficient travel arrangements, balanced match distribution, and the celebration of diverse soccer cultures across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
How many 2026 Football Championship matches will be played in each city?
As mentioned, Dallas will have the spotlight in terms of being the host of most 2026 World Cup fixtures, as nine games will be played here. New York/New Jersey will be the city for the Final, with it possible to expect audiences in the billions watching.
According to the tournament organisers, the last edition – 2022, which saw Argentina beat France on penalties – attracted 1.5 billion viewers, and with it being held in North America, there could be an even greater number. To put it in perspective, this was greater than the number of viewers who were thought to have watched Super Bowl LVI in 2022 or Super Bowl LVII in 2023 (115.1 million).
This is the breakdown for the number of games to be played in each city:
| Host City | Number of Matches | Type of Matches to be played |
| Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium – will be known as Atlanta Stadium) | 8 | 6x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Round of 16;1x Semi-final |
| Boston (Gillette Stadium – will be known as Boston Stadium) | 7 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Quarter-final |
| Dallas (AT&T Stadium – will be known as Dallas Stadium) | 9 | 5x Group matches;2x Round of 32;1x Round of 16;1x Semi-final |
| Houston (NRG Stadium – will be known as Houston Stadium) | 7 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Round of 16 |
| Kansas City (GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium – will be known as Kansas City Stadium) | 6 | 4x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Quarter-final |
| Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium – will be known as Los Angeles Stadium) | 8 | 5x Group matches;2x Round of 32;1x Quarter-final |
| Miami (Hard Rock Stadium – will be known as Miami Stadium) | 7 | 4x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Quarter-final;1x Third-Place Final |
| New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium – will be known as New York New Jersey Stadium) | 8 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Round of 16;1x World Cup Final |
| Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field – will be known as Philadelphia Stadium) | 6 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 16 |
| San Francisco/Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium – will be known as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium) | 6 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 32 |
| Seattle (Lumen Field – will be known as Seattle Stadium) | 6 | 4x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Round of 16 |
| Guadalajara (Estadio Akron – will be known as Estadio Guadalajara) | 4 | 4x Group matches |
| Mexico City (Estadio Azteca – Estadio Azteca Mexico City) | 5 | 3x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Round of 16 |
| Monterrey (Estadio BBVA – will be known as Estadio Monterrey) | 4 | 3x Group matches;1x Round of 32 |
| Toronto (BMO Field – will be known as Toronto Stadium) | 6 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 32 |
| Vancouver (BC Place – will be known as BC Place Vancouver) | 7 | 5x Group matches;1x Round of 32;1x Round of 16 |
Due to the license issues, all stadiums will be known by their city rather than by their official names throughout the tournament.
The Benefits of the Geographic Split
The geographic split of host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, spanning three countries—United States, Mexico, and Canada—adds a dynamic element to the tournament and carries several implications for each nation involved.
1. United States
- With the largest number of host cities, the United States stands to benefit significantly from the economic and cultural impact of hosting the tournament. The geographic diversity of host cities, from the East Coast to the West Coast and everywhere in between, ensures that fans across the country have access to World Cup matches without extensive travel.
- Hosting matches in iconic cities like New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Miami not only showcases the diversity of American culture but also serves as a platform to attract international tourists and promote tourism infrastructure.
- From a soccer development perspective, hosting matches in cities like Dallas, Kansas City, and Seattle, known for their passionate soccer fan bases and youth development programs, can further boost the sport’s popularity and participation levels nationwide.
2. Mexico
- Mexico’s three host cities, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey, represent the heart of Mexican soccer culture and tradition. Hosting matches in these cities allows Mexico to showcase its rich soccer heritage to the world and reinforces its status as a footballing powerhouse.
- The geographic spread of host cities within Mexico ensures that fans from different regions of the country have the opportunity to experience World Cup matches firsthand, fostering national unity and pride.
- Additionally, hosting World Cup matches can stimulate economic growth and investment in infrastructure in host cities, leaving a lasting legacy for local communities long after the tournament ends.
3. Canada
- Canada’s selection as a host country for the 2026 World Cup represents a significant milestone for soccer in the country. Hosting matches in Toronto and Vancouver provides an opportunity to raise the profile of soccer in Canada and inspire the next generation of Canadian players.
- The geographic split of host cities in Canada ensures that matches are accessible to fans across the country, contributing to the growth of soccer fandom and participation nationwide.
- Hosting World Cup matches can also have a positive impact on tourism and infrastructure development in host cities, bolstering Canada’s reputation as a premier destination for international sporting events.
Overall, the geographic split of host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reflects the collaborative effort of three nations to showcase the best of soccer in North America. It provides an opportunity for each country to leverage the tournament to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and soccer development on a global stage.
Were any host cities not selected for the 2026 Football Championships?
While there are 16 different cities selected, some were unsuccessful during the bidding process. A handful of locations in the US were unsuccessful as they fell short of the required standards, as did a couple of locations in Canada.
Those to have failed in their bid as a host city for the 2026 Football Championship included:
- Washington & Baltimore (joint-bid)
- Cincinnati
- Denver
- Nashville
- Orlando
- Edmonton
- Ottawa
Washington and Ottawa’s failure to be a host city makes them join Bonn (West Germany in 1974) and Tokyo (in 2002 as part of the Japan and South Korea co-hosted tournament) as the only ones in the competition’s history not to be selected to host a match.
