FIFA, the governing body of world football, has released the schedule for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, featuring a total of 104 matches with 48 teams competing across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The final match will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, July 16, 2026.
MetLife Stadium, known for hosting NFL teams the New York Giants and New York Jets, will make history by staging the pinnacle fixture of the World Cup. FIFA announced this decision on their official website, stating, “The iconic New York/New Jersey venue was awarded the honor of hosting the showpiece fixture, which will bring the curtain down on the most inclusive FIFA tournament ever.”
Opened 14 years ago
Opened 14 years ago, MetLife Stadium previously hosted the final of the 2016 Copa America Centenario when Chile triumphed over Argentina in a penalty shootout. The stadium has also been graced by renowned musical performers such as Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, and Taylor Swift.
Additionally, FIFA revealed that the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will host the opening match of the tournament on Thursday, June 11, 2026, marking its third occasion as the venue for a FIFA World Cup opener. Canada’s inaugural match, on Friday, June 12, will take place at Toronto’s BMO Field, while the USA’s opening game on the same day will be held at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, home to the NFL’s LA Rams.
Mexico, as the host nation, will initiate the tournament in their capital city, with the Azteca Stadium kick-starting the proceedings. Mexico’s group stage matches will all be played on home soil, including one at Guadalajara Stadium on Thursday, June 18, and another at the Azteca on Wednesday, June 24.
Home advantage throughout the group stage
Canada will also enjoy home advantage throughout the group stage, with BC Place in Vancouver hosting their second and third group fixtures on Thursday, June 18, and Wednesday, June 24, respectively.
The USA will join the roster of host nations for the group stage, and Lumen Field in Seattle will be the venue for their second fixture on Friday, June 19, followed by their final group match at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, June 25.
From the quarter-final round onward, the tournament will exclusively shift to the United States, with matches set to take place in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston. The semi-finals will be hosted by Dallas and Atlanta, Miami will accommodate the third-place consolation final, and Philadelphia will stage a round-of-16 match on July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The 2026 World Cup promises to be a spectacle, featuring 104 matches, an expanded format from the traditional 64 games, and the participation of 48 teams, up from 32.
