New York City's MetLife Stadium will host the grand finale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, beating out Dallas in a heated competition. This culminates the 48-team tournament co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The journey kicks off on June 11 at Mexico City's iconic Azteca Stadium, marking the first time a venue hosts World Cup games in three editions (1970, 1986, 2026).
"This World Cup will be the most inclusive and impactful ever," declared FIFA President Gianni Infantino, highlighting the 104 matches across 16 state-of-the-art stadiums in all three countries.
Atlanta and Dallas will host the semi-finals, while Miami takes the third-place match. Quarter-finals will be spread across Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston.
New York's bid impressed with its global city status, major event hosting experience, and easy transportation access. Dallas countered with its impressive AT&T Stadium, offering protection from the elements, but ultimately fell short.
MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and Jets, boasts a rich history of international football, including the 2016 Copa America final. Additionally, it sits conveniently across the Hudson River from New York City.
Celebrating America's 250th anniversary, the tournament features a July 4th round-of-16 game in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence. The US team starts its campaign at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium on June 12th and also plays in Seattle.
The expanded 48-team format brings 24 extra matches, totalling 104 games across 16 venues. The format involves 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-placed teams progressing. Knockout stages follow, with finalists playing eight games instead of the previous seven.
FIFA promises a travel-friendly schedule, with the full draw expected in late 2025. Teams can choose bases within their group's region to minimize travel fatigue.
Get ready for a historic World Cup across 16 host cities: 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. So mark your calendars for the beautiful game's biggest celebration, with New York City taking centre stage in the grand finale!
