FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities Confirmed: USA, Canada, and Mexico to Stage Largest World Cup
FIFA confirmed the host cities and stadiums for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June 2022, with 11 US cities, three Mexican cities, and two Canadian cities selected to host matches across the first World Cup to feature 48 national teams — and the first to be hosted in three countries simultaneously.
Key Takeaways
- FIFA confirmed 2026 World Cup host cities in June 2022: 11 in the USA, 3 in Mexico, 2 in Canada
- The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 national teams (expanded from 32)
- US host venues include MetLife Stadium (New York/NJ), AT&T Stadium (Dallas), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), and others
- Mexico City's Estadio Azteca will host 2026 World Cup matches — the first stadium to host World Cup games in three tournaments (1970, 1986, 2026)
- The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in the tournament's history by number of matches
- The expanded tournament and North American host means the 2026 World Cup is expected to generate the largest US legal sports betting handle on any soccer event in history
Why It Matters — Players
Why It Matters — Operators
FIFA confirmed the host cities and stadiums for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June 2022, finalising the venue selection for a tournament that will be the largest in the competition's history. The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first World Cup to span three countries — and will feature 48 national teams competing across an expanded group stage and knockout format.
US Host Cities and Venues
Eleven American cities will host 2026 World Cup matches, including the final:
- New York/New Jersey — MetLife Stadium
- Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium
- Dallas — AT&T Stadium
- San Francisco Bay Area — Levi's Stadium
- Miami — Hard Rock Stadium
- Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Seattle — Lumen Field
- Houston — NRG Stadium
- Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium
- Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field
- Boston (Foxborough) — Gillette Stadium
The World Cup final is scheduled to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Mexican and Canadian Host Cities
Mexico will host matches in Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), and Monterrey (Estadio BBVA). Estadio Azteca in Mexico City holds a unique distinction: it will become the first stadium to have hosted World Cup matches in three separate tournaments, having previously staged games in 1970 and 1986.
Canada will host matches in Toronto and Vancouver.
The Expanded 48-Team Format
The 2026 World Cup marks the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 national teams. The expanded format means significantly more matches than previous World Cups, creating a longer tournament calendar and more betting opportunities across the group stage and knockout rounds.
Implications for US Sports Betting
The 2026 World Cup's North American base — with 11 US host cities and a tournament timetable that will run during the US summer — positions it to become by far the most bet-on soccer event in the history of US legal sports betting. By June-July 2026, the US legal sports betting market will have expanded significantly from its 2022 footprint, with more states licensed, more Americans familiar with legal sports betting apps, and a home-country narrative that will drive mainstream engagement with the tournament beyond traditional soccer fans.
US sportsbooks are expected to invest heavily in World Cup-specific products, promotions, and educational content for 2026, given the unprecedented home-market opportunity.
- Source:
- FIFA
- Published:
- June 16, 2022
- Original Article:
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