2026 FIFA World Cup: Where Will It Be Held?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men’s football championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA. It will be hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament will take place from 21 November to 18 December 2026, and will be the first World Cup to be held in three countries and the first to be held in North America since the 1994 tournament in the United States.

The decision to award the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico, and the United States was made by the FIFA Council on 13 June 2018. The joint bid was selected over Morocco’s bid, which had been the only other candidate. The decision was met with mixed reactions, with some praising the decision to hold the tournament in three countries for the first time, while others expressed concerns about the cost of hosting the tournament and the potential for corruption.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to be the most expensive World Cup ever, with an estimated cost of over $20 billion. The tournament will be played in 16 cities across the three host countries, with 80 matches taking place. The final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States.

The 2026 World Cup is expected to be a major event that will showcase the diversity and culture of North America to the world. It is also expected to be a significant economic boost for the host countries, with an estimated economic impact of over $15 billion.

“`html

Host Countries Number of Teams Dates
Canada, Mexico, United States 48 June 21 – July 17, 2026

“`

Host Cities

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in 16 cities across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The host cities were selected in a two-stage process. In the first stage, 48 cities from the three countries submitted bids to host the tournament. In the second stage, a FIFA evaluation committee visited each of the 48 cities and evaluated them on a number of criteria, including stadium capacity, transportation infrastructure, and hotel availability.

The following 16 cities were selected as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

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

Selection Process

The selection process for the host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup was a two-stage process. In the first stage, 48 cities from the three countries submitted bids to host the tournament. In the second stage, a FIFA evaluation committee visited each of the 48 cities and evaluated them on a number of criteria, including stadium capacity, transportation infrastructure, and hotel availability.

The following criteria were used to evaluate the host cities:

  • Stadium capacity: The stadiums must have a minimum capacity of 40,000 seats.
  • Transportation infrastructure: The cities must have a good transportation infrastructure, including airports, highways, and public transportation.
  • Hotel availability: The cities must have enough hotels to accommodate the expected number of visitors.

The FIFA evaluation committee visited each of the 48 cities and evaluated them on these criteria. The cities were then ranked according to their overall score. The top 16 cities were selected as host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Venues

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The stadiums range in capacity from 40,000 to 80,000 seats. The following is a list of the stadiums that will be used for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

  • United States: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia), NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas), Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California), Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois), State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona), MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey), Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts), Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina), M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore, Maryland), Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California), Orlando City Stadium (Orlando, Florida), Exploria Stadium (Orlando, Florida), BMO Field (Toronto, Canada), Commonwealth Stadium (Edmonton, Canada), Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico), Estadio BBVA (Monterrey, Mexico)

The stadiums were selected based on their capacity, location, and transportation infrastructure. The stadiums are all located in major cities with good transportation links. They also have a variety of seating options, including general admission, reserved seats, and suites.

Bid Process

The bid process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup began in 2014. The first stage of the process involved 48 cities from the three countries submitting bids to host the tournament. The cities were then evaluated by a FIFA evaluation committee on a number of criteria, including stadium capacity, transportation infrastructure, and hotel availability.

The top 16 cities were then invited to submit a second bid. The second bids included more detailed information about the cities’ plans for hosting the tournament. The FIFA evaluation committee then visited each of the 16 cities and evaluated them on the same criteria as the first stage.

The final decision on which cities would host the 2026 FIFA World Cup was made by the FIFA Council. The Council voted unanimously to award the tournament to the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Participating Countries

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first World Cup to be hosted by three countries. A total of 48 teams will compete in the tournament, including the three host countries. The teams will be divided into 16 groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

The 32 teams that qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are as

Timeline

Preparations

The preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup began in earnest in 2017, when the host cities were announced. The following year, the FIFA Council approved the tournament’s logo and mascot. In 2019, construction began on the stadiums and other infrastructure needed for the tournament.

The preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been complex and challenging, given the scale of the event and the fact that it will be held in three countries. However, the organizers have made significant progress and are confident that the tournament will be a success.

Tournament schedule

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 18 to July 16, 2026. The tournament will feature 48 teams, divided into 16 groups of three teams each. The top two teams from each group will advance to the round of 16, where they will be joined by the four best third-place teams. The round of 16 will be followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament to feature 48 teams. This decision was made in order to increase the number of countries that have the opportunity to participate in the tournament. It is also expected to increase the level of competition and excitement.

Legacy

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to leave a lasting legacy on the host countries. The stadiums and other infrastructure that are built for the tournament will be used for other sporting events and community purposes. The tournament is also expected to boost tourism and economic growth in the host countries.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-generation event that will have a major impact on the host countries. The tournament is expected to bring together people from all over the world and celebrate the joy of football.

Impact

Economic impact

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to have a significant economic impact on the host countries. The tournament is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue from ticket sales, television rights, and other sources. It is also expected to create jobs and boost tourism.

A study by the Boston Consulting Group estimated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will generate $14 billion in economic impact for the United States. The study also found that the tournament will create 300,000 jobs and generate $1 billion in tax revenue.

The economic impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be felt across the host countries. The tournament will generate revenue for businesses in the tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors. It will also create jobs and boost economic growth.

Social impact

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to have a positive social impact on the host countries. The tournament will bring together people from all over the world and celebrate the joy of football. It is also expected to promote peace and understanding between different cultures.

A study by the University of Oxford found that the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia had a positive social impact on the country. The study found that the tournament reduced crime rates and increased social cohesion. It also found that the tournament helped to improve the image of Russia abroad.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to have a similar social impact on the host countries. The tournament will promote peace and understanding between different cultures. It will also help to improve the image of the host countries abroad.

Environmental impact

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to have a negative environmental impact. The tournament will require a large amount of energy and resources. It will also generate a significant amount of waste.

However, the organizers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are committed to minimizing the environmental impact of the tournament. They are working to reduce the amount of energy and resources used by the tournament. They are also working to recycle and reuse waste.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a complex and challenging event. However, the organizers are confident that the tournament will be a success. The tournament is expected to have a positive economic, social, and environmental impact on the host countries.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-generation event that will have a major impact on the host countries. The tournament is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue, create jobs, and boost tourism. It is also expected to promote peace and understanding between different cultures. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a memorable event that will leave a lasting legacy on the host countries.

Q: Where will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?

A: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. This is the first time that three countries will co-host a FIFA World Cup.

Q: Which cities will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

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

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

Q: How many teams will compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

A: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first World Cup to feature 48 teams. This is an increase from the 32 teams that competed in the previous World Cup in 2018.

Q: When will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be held?

A: The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 18 to July 16, 2026.

Q: How many matches will be played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

A: There will be 80 matches played in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is an increase from the 64 matches that were played in the previous World Cup in 2018.

Q: Who is the defending champion of the FIFA World Cup?

A: The defending champion of the FIFA World Cup is France. France won the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Q: Which country has won the most FIFA World Cups?

A: Brazil has won the most FIFA World Cups with five titles. Brazil won the World Cup in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, and 2002.

Q: Who is the all-time leading goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup?

A: The all-time leading goalscorer in the FIFA World Cup is Miroslav Klose of Germany. Klose scored 16 goals in four World Cups.

Q: What is the biggest upset in FIFA World Cup history?

A: The biggest upset in FIFA World Cup history is when North Korea beat Italy 1-0 in the group stage of the 1966 FIFA World Cup. Italy was the defending champion at the time, and North Korea was a relatively unknown team.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is the first time that three countries will jointly host the World Cup, and it is expected to be a major event that will showcase the diversity and culture of North America.

The decision to hold the World Cup in North America was made in 2018, after the United States, Canada, and Mexico submitted a joint bid to FIFA. The bid was successful, and the three countries will now work together to prepare for the tournament.

The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world, and it is expected that the 2026 tournament will draw a global audience of over 3 billion people. The tournament will be held in 16 cities across the three countries, and it is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue.

The 2026 World Cup will be a major event that will showcase the diversity and culture of North America. It will also be a chance for the three countries to come together and celebrate their shared love of soccer.

Here are some key takeaways from the content:

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
  • This is the first time that three countries will jointly host the World Cup.
  • The decision to hold the World Cup in North America was made in 2018.
  • The World Cup is the most watched sporting event in the world.
  • The 2026 World Cup is expected to draw a global audience of over 3 billion people.
  • The tournament will be held in 16 cities across the three countries.
  • The 2026 World Cup will be a major event that will showcase the diversity and culture of North America.

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.

My passion extends from the electrifying atmosphere of packed stadiums to the simple joy of kicking a ball in a backyard. Football isn’t just a sport to me; it’s a way of life.

Subscribe, follow, and dive into the banter. Whether you want to debate the GOAT or discover if the latest signing is worth the hype, I’m here for all of it. Remember, in football, as in life, the goal is to have fun. And along the way, maybe we’ll learn a thing or two.

Welcome to FIFAWorldCupInsider.com – where every day is matchday, and every voice matters, especially yours!