Where Will FIFA 2026 Be Held?

The world’s most popular sporting event, the FIFA World Cup, is coming to North America in 2026. This will be the first time that the tournament has been held in three countries, with matches taking place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The decision to award the 2026 World Cup to North America was a controversial one, with some critics arguing that the region did not deserve to host the tournament over other countries with a stronger footballing tradition. However, the decision was ultimately made based on a number of factors, including the region’s financial strength, infrastructure, and commitment to hosting a successful tournament.

With just over four years to go until the first kick-off, preparations for the 2026 World Cup are well underway. The three host countries have already announced plans for a number of new stadiums and infrastructure projects, and the excitement is building ahead of what promises to be a truly memorable event.

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City Stadium Capacity
Toronto BMO Field 53,000
Vancouver BC Place 54,500
Edmonton Commonwealth Stadium 56,302
Montral Stade Olympique 56,000
Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium 76,416
Dallas AT&T Stadium 80,000
Atlanta Mercedes-Benz Stadium 75,500
Miami Hard Rock Stadium 65,326

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Host Cities

List of Host Cities

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by 16 cities in three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The following is a list of the host cities, along with the number of matches that will be played in each city:

  • Canada: Vancouver (6 matches), Toronto (10 matches), Edmonton (6 matches)
  • Mexico: Mexico City (10 matches), Guadalajara (8 matches), Monterrey (6 matches)
  • United States: Los Angeles (10 matches), San Francisco (6 matches), Seattle (6 matches), Kansas City (4 matches), Atlanta (4 matches), Dallas (4 matches), Houston (4 matches), Philadelphia (4 matches), Miami (4 matches)

Selection Process

The bidding process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup began in 2017. The initial bid process was open to all member associations of FIFA. However, only three bids were submitted by the deadline: Morocco, a joint bid from Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and a joint bid from Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

The FIFA Executive Committee evaluated the bids and selected the joint bid from Canada, Mexico, and the United States as the host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June 2018. The decision was made based on a number of factors, including the financial strength of the bid, the infrastructure in place to host the tournament, and the political stability of the countries involved.

Benefits of Hosting the World Cup

There are a number of benefits to hosting the FIFA World Cup. These include:

  • Economic benefits: The FIFA World Cup is a major economic event, generating billions of dollars in revenue for the host countries. This revenue comes from a variety of sources, including ticket sales, television rights, and sponsorships.
  • Infrastructure improvements: The FIFA World Cup also provides an opportunity for host countries to improve their infrastructure. This includes building new stadiums, roads, and transportation systems. These improvements can benefit the host countries long after the tournament is over.
  • Increased tourism: The FIFA World Cup also attracts a large number of tourists to the host countries. This can boost tourism revenue and help to promote the host countries to a global audience.
  • Increased international prestige: Hosting the FIFA World Cup can also increase a country’s international prestige. This can be beneficial for a country’s diplomatic relations and its ability to attract foreign investment.

Challenges of Hosting the World Cup

There are also a number of challenges to hosting the FIFA World Cup. These include:

  • Cost: The FIFA World Cup is a very expensive event to host. The cost of building new stadiums, improving infrastructure, and providing security can be significant.
  • Security: Hosting the FIFA World Cup also poses a significant security risk. The tournament attracts a large number of people from all over the world, and there is always the potential for terrorist attacks or other security incidents.
  • Traffic congestion: The FIFA World Cup also causes traffic congestion in the host cities. This is due to the large number of people traveling to and from the games.
  • Environmental impact: The FIFA World Cup also has a negative environmental impact. This is due to the large amount of waste produced by the tournament, as well as the emissions from the transportation of people and goods.

Stadiums

List of Stadiums

The following is a list of the stadiums that will be used for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

  • Canada: BC Place (Vancouver), BMO Field (Toronto), Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton)
  • Mexico: Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio BBVA Bancomer (Monterrey), Estadio Akron (Guadalajara)
  • United States: AT&T Stadium (Dallas), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta), MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey), Gillette Stadium (Foxborough), NRG Stadium (Houston), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami)

Capacity of Stadiums

The stadiums that will be used for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have a combined capacity of over 800,000 seats. The largest stadium is AT&T Stadium in Dallas, which has a capacity of 80,000 seats. The smallest stadium is BC Place in Vancouver, which has a capacity of 54,500 seats.

Location of Stadiums

3. Transportation

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and it is expected to attract over 40 million visitors. With so many people traveling to the event, transportation will be a major concern.

There are a number of different transportation options available for fans, players, and officials. The following sections provide information on each of these options.

  • Air travel

The three host countries are all served by major international airports. Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada, Benito Jurez International Airport (MEX) in Mexico, and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in the United States are all expected to handle a significant increase in traffic during the World Cup. Fans can fly directly to any of these airports from their home countries.

  • Rail travel

All three host countries have extensive rail networks. Amtrak in the United States, VIA Rail in Canada, and Tren Maya in Mexico all offer intercity rail service. Fans can use these services to travel between the host cities.

  • Bus travel

There are also a number of bus companies that operate between the host cities. Fans can book tickets with companies such as Greyhound, Megabus, and Flixbus.

  • Driving

Fans who are driving to the World Cup can take advantage of the extensive highway network in the three host countries. However, it is important to note that traffic congestion is expected to be heavy during the tournament.

  • Other transportation options

In addition to the above options, there are also a number of other transportation options available for fans, players, and officials. These options include ferries, taxis, ride-sharing services, and rental cars.

4. Security

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the most secure sporting event in history. The organizers of the tournament have been working closely with law enforcement agencies in the three host countries to develop a comprehensive security plan.

The security plan will include a number of measures, such as:

  • Increased police presence at all World Cup venues
  • Increased security checks at all entrances to World Cup venues
  • The use of biometric identification technology to track fans and players
  • The deployment of drones and other surveillance technology

The organizers of the tournament are confident that the security plan will be effective in keeping fans, players, and officials safe.

Security risks associated with the World Cup

There are a number of security risks associated with the World Cup. These risks include:

  • Terrorist attacks
  • Crowd violence
  • Protests
  • Natural disasters

The organizers of the tournament are aware of these risks and are working to mitigate them. However, it is important to note that there is always the possibility of a security incident occurring during the World Cup.

Security plans for the World Cup

The organizers of the World Cup have developed a comprehensive security plan to protect fans, players, and officials. The plan includes a number of measures, such as:

  • Increased police presence at all World Cup venues
  • Increased security checks at all entrances to World Cup venues
  • The use of biometric identification technology to track fans and players
  • The deployment of drones and other surveillance technology

The organizers of the tournament are confident that the security plan will be effective in keeping fans, players, and officials safe.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to be the most secure sporting event in history. The organizers of the tournament have been working closely with law enforcement agencies in the three host countries to develop a comprehensive security plan. The plan includes a number of measures, such as increased police presence at all World Cup venues, increased security checks at all entrances to World Cup venues, the use of biometric identification technology to track fans and players, and the deployment of drones and other surveillance technology. The organizers of the tournament are confident that the security plan will be effective in keeping fans, players, and officials safe.

Where will FIFA 2026 be held?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This is the first time that the World Cup will be held in three countries, and it is the largest World Cup ever, with 48 teams participating.

What cities will host the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will be held in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The cities are:

  • Canada: Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal
  • Mexico: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey
  • United States: New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami

When will the World Cup be held?

The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 18, 2026.

How many teams will compete in the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams. The previous World Cups have been limited to 32 teams.

Who will qualify for the World Cup?

The 32 teams that will qualify for the World Cup will be determined through a series of qualifying tournaments held in each of the three host countries. The qualifying tournaments will begin in 2023 and will conclude in 2025.

How can I watch the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup will be broadcast in over 200 countries and territories around the world. The broadcast rights for the World Cup in the United States have been acquired by Fox Sports.

What are the chances of my country qualifying for the World Cup?

The chances of your country qualifying for the World Cup depend on a number of factors, including the strength of your national team, the draw for the qualifying tournament, and the form of your team during the qualifying campaign.

What are the biggest challenges facing the organizers of the 2026 World Cup?

The biggest challenges facing the organizers of the 2026 World Cup include:

  • The need to build or upgrade stadiums in all three host countries.
  • The need to ensure that there is adequate transportation and accommodation for the millions of fans who will be attending the World Cup.
  • The need to ensure that the World Cup is safe and secure for all participants.

What are the benefits of hosting the World Cup?

The benefits of hosting the World Cup include:

  • The opportunity to showcase a country to the world.
  • The boost to the economy that comes from tourism and investment.
  • The increased pride and sense of national identity that comes from hosting a major sporting event.

FIFA 2026 will be held in three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This is the first time that the World Cup will be hosted by more than one country, and it is expected to be a major event that will draw attention from around the world. The three countries have a lot to offer visitors, from beautiful cities and landscapes to diverse cultures and cuisines. Fans can expect to see some of the best soccer players in the world compete for the ultimate prize, and they can also enjoy all that the host countries have to offer.

Author Profile

Kane Whitaker
Kane Whitaker
Hello, fellow football lovers! I’m Kane Whitaker, a Sunday league player and a lifelong fan of the beautiful game.

As a dedicated Liverpool supporter, I hold immense respect and admiration for all clubs and aspects of football.

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