1. The 2026 FIFA World Cup final is to be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
2. Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
3. Tournament is scheduled to start on June 11 and end on July 19.
Trenton, Feb 05: The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will take place in New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium, the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, according to an announcement by FIFA.
The global soccer showcase, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to start on June 11 and will conclude on July 19.
Tournament Overview:
- Host Cities:
- Canada will host 13 games, with 10 in the group stage split between Toronto and Vancouver.
- Mexico will also host 13 games, including 10 during the group stage in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.
- The rest of the tournament will be held in 11 cities across the United States.
- Opening Matches:
- Toronto, Mexico City, and Los Angeles will host the opening matches for their respective national teams.
- Final Venue:
- The 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host the final. It previously hosted the Copa America Centenario final in 2016.
- Kickoff Times:
- FIFA did not announce kickoff times for the games.
Tournament Expansion:
- The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded format with 104 matches, up from the traditional 64 games.
- The decision to expand to 48 teams from 32 has led to an additional knockout round.
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Regional Division of Venues:
- Given the vast distance and different climates across the 16 host cities, FIFA has divided the venues into three regions — east, central, and west.
- Teams will operate out of a base camp in the same region as their games to manage logistical challenges.
Notable Matches and Locations:
- Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca will host the opening match on June 11, making Mexico the first nation to host the World Cup for a third time.
- The tournament’s first match in Canada will be on June 12 in Toronto.
- The United States will play twice in Los Angeles and once in Seattle during the group stage.
- The quarter-final round will be held in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.
- Dallas and Atlanta will host the two semi-finals.
- Miami will host the third-place playoff.
- Philadelphia will host a Round of 16 match on July 4 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be a unique and expansive event, bringing together nations from North America to showcase the best in global football.
