Opening in Mexico City, Grand Finale in New Jersey – FIFA's 2026 Spectacle Unveiled
In a major announcement on Sunday, FIFA revealed that the final of the 2026 World Cup will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York /New Jersey. The decision followed a stiff competition, with the New York bid successfully fending off challenges from Dallas. The July 19 championship game will mark the culmination of the 48-team tournament, jointly hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The tournament will kick off with the opening game at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm, stating, "The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico, and the USA."
The 16 participating cities include Atlanta and Dallas, which will host the semi-finals, while the third-place game will take place in Miami. The quarter-final matches are scheduled for Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.
With the majority of matches held in the USA, this World Cup is poised to set new records and leave a lasting legacy. The decisions were broadcasted live in North America, featuring Gianni Infantino alongside notable personalities such as comedian Kevin Hart , rapper Drake, and celebrity Kim Kardashian .
MetLife Stadium, with a seating capacity of 82,500, is located across the Hudson River from New York in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Home to the NFL 's New York Giants and New York Jets, the stadium has previously hosted international football games, including the final of the 2016 Copa America tournament.
Notably, the 1994 World Cup was also hosted in the United States, with the final held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, near Los Angeles. The New York bid emphasized the city's experience in hosting major international events and its status as a global city with convenient transportation connections for fans.
While Dallas's AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, did not secure the final, it was awarded nine total games, the highest number among the venues. Los Angeles had also vied for hosting rights but faced challenges over disagreements with FIFA regarding necessary upgrades to the NFL venue, SoFi Stadium .
The tournament will kick off with the opening game at the iconic Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11. FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed enthusiasm, stating, "The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico, and the USA."
The 16 participating cities include Atlanta and Dallas, which will host the semi-finals, while the third-place game will take place in Miami. The quarter-final matches are scheduled for Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.
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With the majority of matches held in the USA, this World Cup is poised to set new records and leave a lasting legacy. The decisions were broadcasted live in North America, featuring Gianni Infantino alongside notable personalities such as comedian Kevin Hart , rapper Drake, and celebrity Kim Kardashian .
MetLife Stadium, with a seating capacity of 82,500, is located across the Hudson River from New York in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Home to the NFL 's New York Giants and New York Jets, the stadium has previously hosted international football games, including the final of the 2016 Copa America tournament.
Notably, the 1994 World Cup was also hosted in the United States, with the final held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, near Los Angeles. The New York bid emphasized the city's experience in hosting major international events and its status as a global city with convenient transportation connections for fans.
While Dallas's AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, did not secure the final, it was awarded nine total games, the highest number among the venues. Los Angeles had also vied for hosting rights but faced challenges over disagreements with FIFA regarding necessary upgrades to the NFL venue, SoFi Stadium .
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