The biggest sporting event on the planet will only get bigger. Qatar 2022 was the last World Cup as we’ve known it for years. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will expand from 32 to 48 teams, allowing more nations to enjoy being part of the most anticipated tournament on Earth. On top of that, there will be three host countries.
After various editions that revolved around Asia, Europe, South America, and Asia, North America will have its chance to organize this exciting competition with the United States, Mexico, and Canada all hosting 2026 World Cup games. Here, let’s take a look at all the stadiums of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
For the first time in tournament history, a FIFA World Cup will be contested in three countries when the 2026 event takes place in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will be the first time since 2002 that the event has multiple hosts, with South Korea and Japan being the last countries to share the honors.
Unsurprisingly, the USA will have the most host cities. In the end, not only does it have the largest territory in the region but it also boasts some of the greatest stadiums on the entire planet—though not all of them are frequently used for soccer games.
Eleven US cities were selected to host the majority of games: New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle, San Francisco/Bay Area and Los Angeles.
As for Mexico, they will have three host cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. On the other hand, two Canadian cities will be hosting 2026 World Cup matches: Toronto and Vancouver.
The Concacaf powerhouses won the bid to host the event despite serious interest from Morocco, and this promises to be a revolutionary edition of the World Cup. Though the tournament has had multiple hosts before—South Korea and Japan were co-hosts in 2002—this will be the first time it happens with three countries.
Mexico will become the first country to host three World Cups, having been home to the 1970 and 1986 editions. The USA had already held the 1994 tournament, while this will be the first time for Canada—who will make their third World Cup appearance (1986, 2022).
With the expanded field, the World Cup format will look a bit different. All 48 teams will be divided into 16 groups of three each, with the top two nations advancing to the round of 32. From then on, the knockout phase will remain the same: every round will be a single elimination game.
This World Cup will have 80 games in total, with the United States hosting the majority (60), while Mexico and Canada will split the rest (10 each).
It’s important to keep in mind that some of these stadiums weren’t originally in consideration, but ended up being selected regardless. These venues, on the other hand, were ultimately overlooked: Rose Bowl (Los Angeles), Nashville, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington, Orlando and Denver.
Home to the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL, Lumen Field has also proved to be a great fit for soccer games in Major League Soccer. Sounders’ home games have been among the most attended fixtures in the league, with fans creating electric atmospheres with help from the partial roof that helps to keep noise inside the building.
Fans will be delighted with Lumen Field’s location, since it’s walking distance from Seattle’s downtown while you can also get there even faster by train or subway. A stadium that has already hosted Copa America and Gold Cup fixtures, we’re talking about a venue that is ready for a bigger competition like the World Cup.
Built less than a decade ago, Levi’s Stadium has made the most out of the technological advances in the area. In just a few years, this venue has forged a reputation for having the best cellular and Wi-Fi support. It also became the first NFL stadium to boast LEED Gold certifications for new construction and operations and maintenance. On the roof of its suite tower, the stadium also has an urban farm.
Levi’s Stadium is no stranger to major sporting competitions. Apart from hosting significant events in America such as Super Bowl L, Wrestlemania 31, and the 2015 NHL Stadium Series, it has seen top-level soccer action: 2017 Gold Cup final, Copa America fixtures, MLS games, and club friendlies.
Despite having just a couple of years of existence, the SoFi Stadium has already become a go-to place for high-profile events. While it already hosted the 2022 Super Bowl, this venue was also chosen by renowned artists to perform in front of thousands in the West Coast.
Though it doesn’t have much background in soccer (it hosted friendly games between Liga MX and MLS clubs in August 2022), its modern facilities—highlighted by the circular, double-sided video screen hanging on the roof—make this an attractive venue for a World Cup.
That’s also the reason why FIFA chose this venue instead of the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, which hosted the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy. Now it will be the turn of the SoFi Stadium, which is just starting to make history. FIFA’s flagship event will be part of it soon.
Another venue that opened not long ago, the AT&T Stadium has also become a reference for significant sporting events. While the 2011 Super Bowl it hosted had the second largest-attendance in NFL history (103,000 spectators), it has also seen record-breaking crowds for boxing fights—particularly when Mexican icon Saúl Canelo Álvarez stepped into the ring.
The trademark retractable roof of this venue makes it different from any other in America, though its windows let too much daylight get into the field. The field will have to be adapted: it will probably have to be widened, and grass will need to be installed since its current turf doesn’t comply with FIFA’s rules. Either way, soccer games have been held at the AT&T Stadium before and we should expect this place to play a huge role in the 2026 World Cup as it may even host the title decider.
A multi-purpose stadium famously known for hosting livestock and rodeo shows apart from NFL games, the NRG Stadium actually hosted many soccer games as well. Gold Cup and Copa America Centenario matches, a Man Utd-Man City friendly (the only derby they’ve ever played outside England), and the 2010 MLS All-Star Game were just some of the biggest soccer games that took place here. Having cost $352 million, this was the first NFL venue to have a retractable roof.
Despite being older than the aforementioned venues, Arrowhead Stadium has nothing to be ashamed of. Built in the 70s, the home to the successful NFL’s Chiefs went through expensive renovations to make this arena as modern as possible. Apart from the video screens, VIP lounges and bar concessions that make it a pleasant visit for attendees, Arrowhead offers spectators a great view regardless of where they’re sitting.
This place has seen its fair share of soccer games too, being home to the USMNT in many World Cup qualifiers and also to the Kansas City Wizards—today Sporting Kansas City—between 1996 and 2008, apart from hosting the 2004 US Open Cup final. A fun fact to keep in mind is that Arrowhead holds a World Guinness Record for being the loudest venue ever.
Built in 2017, the home to MLS side Atlanta United is one of the most impressive in the US. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium takes the use of technology to the next level, boasting a 360-degree halo board that’s larger than any other stadium video display in the world.
An accessible venue from the city’s downtown, this arena features an already trademark retractable roof and a canopy over the field as well as a Window to the City that provides an incredible view to the Atlanta skyline. Besides, here’s where one of the loudest atmospheres in MLS can be found.
Like many other stadiums in the country, this venue has attracted a number of popular events in just a few years of existence. It has seen the most important football games, hosting Super Bowl LIII and the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. But it will arrive in the World Cup with meaningful soccer experience as well, having been home to the MLS Cup and MLS All-Star Game in 2018.
A city that embraced the sport way before than the rest, Miami has a community of diehard soccer fans and a great stadium to enjoy the 2026 World Cup action. Inaugurated as the Joe Robbie Stadium, this arena went through multiple reforms and renaming before becoming what it is today.
The Hard Rock Stadium underwent a massive renovation in 2015, with the addition of big video screens in each corner and an open-air roof that covers the main seating areas not only from precipitation, but especially from the heat of south Florida.
While the arena had already hosted major events since its inauguration in the 80s, the renovated Hard Rock Stadium is now a top destination for major sporting events. College football national championships, Formula 1, and the Miami Open have all made Miami Gardens a favorite landing spot. This stadium has also become the go-to spot for high-profile soccer games in south Florida, with international friendlies and preseason clashes between European giants taking place there.
While the Lincoln Financial Field is mostly a football stadium—it hosts NFL’s Eagles’ and the NCAA’s Temple Owls’ games—it has already been home to soccer games when the Philadelphia Union faced European teams in friendly fixtures, as well as in the 2015 Gold Cup final between Mexico and Jamaica. On top of that, it has received world-renowned artists throughout the years—it had four Taylor Swift shows, three Beyonce concerts, while Coldplay performed on two occasions.
Fans who attend World Cup matches in the City of Brotherly Love will find a gigantic venue with different bowls and plenty of video boards. Moreover, this venue takes a lot of actions to reduce its environmental impact. Apart from implementing extensive composting and recycling programs, the power used at the stadium is 100% renewable energy.
It may not be located in the heart of New York City, but the MetLife Stadium’s proximity to the Big Apple in public transport makes it a popular destination for sporting events. Home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets of the National Football League, the MetLife Stadium has also hosted Super Bowl XLVIII, as well as Wrestlemania on two occasions (2013 and 2019).
No soccer team plays its home games here, but it’s still an arena that has seen plenty of elite level soccer: Copa America Centenario, Gold Cup, and high-profile friendlies. Its location and capacity makes it a strong candidate for the grand final. Besides, it already has experience hosting a big soccer game from the Copa America Centenario between Chile and Argentina in 2016.
Similar to what happens with the MetLife Stadium, this arena is not exactly in Boston but it’s only 40 minutes away. Gillette Stadium has been home to one of the greatest dynasties in sports history, with Patriots fans making this arena a fortress in New England’s home games.
While it’s seen plenty of NFL history, this venue has also hosted important soccer games including World Cup qualifiers, Gold Cup, and Copa America fixtures. The demolished Foxboro Stadium, now the parking lot of its successor, was one of the venues of the 1994 World Cup.
Therefore, the city already knows a thing or two about hosting this tournament. The difference is this time it will be much bigger, and the facilities are much better than two decades ago. The stadium has improved amenities, several points of access to Wi-Fi and enough food stands for attendees.
Canada had initially nominated three cities to host games, but the governing body ended up choosing just two of them—ruling Edmonton out.
Attending the BC Place will probably be a great experience for World Cup fans. Located in the downtown of Vancouver, this arena is just blocks away from bars and restaurants where fans can gather before or after games. Soccer history has already been written here, with the USWNT winning the 2015 Women’s World Cup final against Japan.
The beauty or at least impressive design of this stadium cannot be denied, as its two bowls are covered by a retractable roof that takes just 20 minutes to open or close. While its one-of-a-kind design and giant video screen hanging on the roof make it an attractive venue, its artificial turf is what has earned the BC Place many detractors in world soccer. For that reason Vancouver originally didn’t plan to be a host city, but the British Columbia city was eventually chosen over Montreal—who dropped out as the Quebec provincial government withdrew its support.
While this will be the first time it hosts men’s World Cup games, BC Place is not a newbie when it comes to hosting high-profile competitions. It annually welcomes rugby’s Canada Sevens series, it was honored as a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2011 Paralympics, and even hosted an NFL match back in 1998.
While this stadium is not walking distance from Toronto, fans do not necessarily have to travel by car as the subway leaves you just close enough. BMO Field has enough experience hosting high-profile events, being home to major MLS fixtures due to Toronto FC as well as hosting U-20 World Cups.
The stadium’s latest renovations included 8,400 additional seats, new amenities and a roof that covers the stands close to the touchlines. BMO Field will have another expansion before the World Cup, increasing its current capacity of nearly 28,000 spectators to over 45,000 seats.
A stadium that needs no introduction for diehard World Cup fans, Estadio Azteca is one of the most emblematic venues in world soccer. This is where Pelé won his third and final World Cup with Brazil in 1970, 16 years before it witnessed Diego Maradona’s iconic goals vs. England and eventually his triumph with Argentina.
Though the capacity of this stadium was reduced in order to comply with health and safety measures, the Aztec remains an intimidating building. The stadium is still big and compact enough to create an electric atmosphere, which is why it is expected to be one of the most important venues in 2026. The Aztec will also be the first stadium to host games in three different World Cups.
Though it’s been a long time since this venue hosted World Cup matches, it’s not like the Aztec got stuck in time. It continued to host high-profile events, including NFL games and World Cup qualifiers, as well as Liga MX playoff fixtures. Additionally, the biggest concerts in Mexico have also taken place here.
With the beautiful sight of the Cerro de la Silla as a fascinating backdrop, Estadio BBVA Bancomer promises to delight World Cup spectators. The home of Liga MX side Monterrey was built in 2015, which is why the passing of time has yet to take a toll on it. The existence of the Aztec may have relegated this venue in the Mexican national team’s consideration, but its exposure in the upcoming World Cup will probably increase its reputation.
Thanks to Rayados’ success, this arena has already witnessed a Concacaf Champions League final. With many years left before the 2026 World Cup gets underway, Estadio BBVA will probably host international fixtures before the big event starts.
A true state-of-the-art venue, Estadio Akron is already an impressive building from the outside before fans can appreciate it from the inside. Its one-of-a-kind design resembles a volcano, with the roof that covers most of the seats representing the smoke.
Though this venue may not have much history when it comes to hosting senior international fixtures, it has been home to the Pre-Olympic tournament for Tokyo 2020. Moreover, Estadio Akron isn’t exactly inexperienced with FIFA tournaments since it held U-17 World Cup fixtures in 2011. That year, it was also home to the soccer events in the Pan American Games.
The 2026 World Cup is still a few years away from us, but with Qatar 2022 already on the books, the stage for the next edition has already started to take shape. While many important things have yet to be decided, such as which games will be given to each stadium, we already know all 16 host cities and venues for the highly anticipated competition. That’s enough for fans to start planning their trips, because no one will want to miss this exciting event.
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