The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being staged across an unprecedented 16 host cities spanning three countries, the United States, Mexico, and Canada. With the tournament already underway, fans are travelling between iconic stadiums old and new, from a historic arena that hosted finals decades ago to brand-new NFL venues built for record crowds. Here is a guide to the grounds shaping this expanded 48-team tournament.
The Final: MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has the honor of hosting the tournament final. Home to the NFL’s Giants and Jets, the venue has been upgraded with a natural grass surface for the tournament and can seat more than 82,000 spectators for the marquee match.
Marquee US Venues
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is one of the largest venues in the competition, with a retractable roof and capacity above 94,000. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles bring cutting-edge design and premium fan experiences, while Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara round out marquee West and East Coast hosting duties. Additional US matches are being played in Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, and Seattle, giving American fans coast-to-coast access to the tournament.
Mexico’s Historic Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City holds a special place in football history, having already hosted two World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986. Becoming the first stadium to host matches across three separate World Cups, it anchors Mexico’s hosting duties alongside Estadio Akron in Guadalajara and Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
Canada’s Modern Hosts
Canada is co-hosting World Cup matches for the first time, with BC Place in Vancouver and BMO Field in Toronto welcoming international fans. Both venues have been renovated in recent years, and Toronto’s expanded capacity has made it a lively hub for supporters throughout the group stage and knockout rounds.
- 11 host cities in the United States
- 3 host cities in Mexico
- 2 host cities in Canada
- 16 total stadiums across the tournament
Images used in this article are sourced from Pexels and are free to use under the Pexels License. Schedule and venue details reflect the tournament as it is currently being played and may be subject to official updates.