FIFA revealed on Sunday that the 2026 World Cup final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York-New Jersey. The decision followed stiff competition, with New York successfully fending off a strong challenge from Dallas, securing the pinnacle match of the expanded 48-team tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament is set to kick off on June 11 with the opening game at Mexico City’s renowned Azteca Stadium, leading up to the grand finale on July 19 in the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium. Atlanta and Dallas have secured the semi-final hosting rights, while the third-place playoff will be held in Miami.
A total of 16 cities spread across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host matches, emphasizing the widespread appeal and inclusivity of the tournament. The quarter-final games are distributed among Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.
The decision to award the final to MetLife Stadium harks back to the 1994 World Cup, where New York hosted matches at the former Giants Stadium. MetLife, standing since 2010, has symbolized modernity and grandeur in sports arenas.
The official announcement was made during a live television broadcast in North America, featuring FIFA President Gianni Infantino alongside prominent figures such as comedian and actor Kevin Hart, rapper Drake, and celebrity Kim Kardashian.
New York’s successful bid highlighted the city’s experience in hosting major international events and its status as a global city with excellent transportation connections for fans. Meanwhile, Dallas, banking on the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, secured nine total games despite falling short in the bid for the final.
Los Angeles also vied for the final, but disagreements with FIFA regarding necessary upgrades to the NFL venue SoFi Stadium hindered their bid.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will make history by becoming the first venue to host World Cup tournament games in three separate editions after 1970 and 1986. The stadium had previously hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.
Notably, the 2026 World Cup will coincide with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence. A special round-of-16 game is scheduled for July 4, Independence Day, in Philadelphia, where the U.S. Declaration of Independence was signed.
With the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, there will be an additional 24 matches, totaling 104 games across the 16 selected venues. The competition format includes 12 groups of four teams, with the top two advancing and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the knockout stage. The finalists will now play eight games instead of the previous seven.
The 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup are: 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. Football enthusiasts worldwide eagerly await the spectacle that this expanded and inclusive tournament promises to be.
