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The United States of America (USA), Mexico, and Canada are currently under pressure as they intensely prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This football World Cup is unique in that it will be hosted by 3 different countries across 16 World Cup host cities 2026. At the 86th FIFA Congress in Moscow in 2018, the final vote on the host(s) for the Cup was conducted. The three-nation North American force beat Morocco in their bid.
There were 65 votes for Morocco and an overwhelming 134 votes for the Canada-Mexico-USA proposal. Commenting on the outcome, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said, ‘‘I want to congratulate all the bid cities that will host games. I know you will all do a fantastic job of sharing your world class stadiums, unique communities and culture, and amazing fans when the world comes to North America…’’
Apart from the football entertainment, this tournament will also offer the chance for many fans to make money by betting on the matches — and there are more matches than ever. You can follow 2026 World Cup predictions to stay in the loop. Off the field, there are also several means of entertainment that fans can engage in. These days, the esports vibes are taking over North America and you can get on the bandwagon when you are there. The good news is that there is also a chance to bet on these games and earn money.
One of the best esports games with precision and strategic energy is Valorant and we think football fans will love it. If you’re a fan looking for ways to match the intensity of the World Cup games, we advise you to play Valorant during the half-time breaks of the matches. If you’re thinking of the right esports betting site to start betting, MightyTips tipster Evelyn Balyton can help you discover top platforms for Valorant betting where you can place wagers.
Moving on, let’s get into the juicy part of this piece to discover the 2026 World Cup cities and the six must-see ones.
Which Cities Will Host the 2026 World Cup?
A World Cup host stadium must satisfy several fundamental FIFA rules. This covers capacity needs, minimum of 40,000 for group stage events, 60,000 for quarterfinals and the first game, or World Cup final, 80,000 capacity.
41 cities in all participated in the bidding process to be host cities for 2026 World Cup. FIFA subsequently reduced the number to 16 based on their guidelines, and officially announced the picks on June 16, 2022. Here are the selected cities, stadiums—their capacities and a breakdown of the match schedule.
United States of America
- Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts (65,000)
- Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida (capacity 65,000)
- Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (69,000)
- Lumen Field – Seattle, Washington (capacity 69,000)
- SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California (70,000)
- Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California (71,000)
- NRG Stadium – Houston, Texas (capacity 72,000)
- Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri (73,000)
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, Georgia (capacity 75,000)
- MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (capacity 82,500) (Confirmed Location for World Cup Final – July 19)
- AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas (capacity 94,000)
Canada
- Toronto Stadium – Toronto (capacity: 45,000)
- BC Place Vancouver – Vancouver (capacity 54,000)
Mexico
- Estadio Guadalajara – Zapopan (capacity 48,000)
- Estadio Monterrey – Guadalupe (capacity 53,500)
- Estadio Azteca Mexico City – Mexico City (capacity 83,000) [Confirmed Location for World Cup First Game – June 11)
2026 World Cup Schedule: Group Stage to Finals
- Group stage: June 11-27
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4-7
- Quarter-finals: July 9-11
- Semi-finals: July 14-15
- Third-place play-off (‘Bronze final’): July 18
- Final: July 19
6 Host Cities You Must See During the Tournament
No matter the season, every one of these cities is a great vacation spot. However, during the tournament everyone from locals to visitors will be in a festive spirit, and every city will be doing its best to prove it deserves to be the World Cup host. The following is a rundown of the six must-see World Cup 2026 host cities, with essential details, and attractions.
1. Philadelphia
The city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, takes great pride in being the ‘birthplace of America.’ Philadelphia has a long history as the nation’s capital and is home to some of the most die-hard sports fans nationwide. This city has a history of hosting large-scale events, and its proximity to other host cities like Boston, Toronto, and New York/New Jersey makes it an ideal gathering place for teams and spectators.
With 40 million people within 150 miles, it has the highest population density in the United States. Lincoln Financial Field (LFF) will be the stadium hosting some of the World Cup Matches. LFF is home to the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. It has a rich football history since it hosted a friendly match between Barcelona and Manchester United when it opened in 2003.
2. New York
Along with being the most populated city in the nation and one of its two main cultural centers, New York City also happens to be the media capital of the US. The other major cultural center is Los Angeles. It has a unique and significant culture of its own — it is a global city with a population of around 9 million.
Its reputation as a top tourist spot has endured for a long time. And hey, they have got good pizza there! New York will be hosting the cup alongside New Jersey which is home to the 82,500-seat MetLife Stadium, which debuted in 2010. The stadium’s movable stands ensure that the field satisfies FIFA soccer criteria.
3. Toronto
With its diversified population and small communities that host street parties and other World Cup-themed events, Toronto is a fantastic place to watch the tournament. Being so close to Lake Ontario and having so many restaurants and entertainment opportunities makes this city one of the greatest in the summer when the long, cold winters finally melt away.
BMO Field has lately been the preferred site for matches involving the Canadian men’s national team in addition to being the home of Toronto FC and will be one of Canada’s stadiums for the FIFA World Cup. In accordance with FIFA’s parameters, BMO Field will have a total capacity of about 45,735 seats, with an extra 17,750 seats added.
4. Vancouver
Vancouver is arguably the most beautiful North American city. After British Columbia withdrew its bid to host the games due to budgetary concerns, Vancouver re-entered the competition in April after a successful late application. Hosting the World Cup would help achieve the objective of boosting tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic
BC Place, the third-largest stadium in Canada, can hold more than 54,000 spectators and is set to host a number of matches during the Cup. The 2010 Winter Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies were held in the same stadium. On your trip to Vancouver, you should consider visiting The Dude Chilling Park, one the top tourist attractions in east Vancouver.
5. Mexico City
In addition to the World Cup 2026 cities in the United States and Canada, Mexico City is poised to play a pivotal role during the biggest football tournament in North America. One of the stadiums in Mexico City set to host the World Cup matches is Estadio Azteca.
Estadio Azteca (El Coloso de Santa Úrsula) has more than 100,000 seats and has seen two of the best players of all time wield the World Cup. In 1970, Edson Arantes do Nascimento fondly known as Pelé and Brazil won the World Cup there, and in 1986, Diego Armando Maradona and Argentina also won at the stadium. There are ongoing renovations in Mexico’s Estadio Azteca in preparation for the big tournament.
6. Monterrey
Monterrey has a modern stadium (Estadio BBVA), a history of hosting major sporting events, a passionate football culture, and a strong fan base for local teams like Tigres UANL and C.F. The city also has the infrastructure to accommodate large crowds that will be attending the 2026 World Cup.
With 51,000 seats, the Estadio BBVA has one of the most breathtaking backdrops of any stadium in the world. With its tremendous aerial perspectives, this modern venue—dubbed ‘The Steel Giant’—is sure to be a main attraction during the 2026 World Cup. In 2026, when the World Cup begins, the Estadio BBVA will clock eleven years.
Wrapping Up
Anticipation for what seems to be one of the most grand sports events in history is growing as the football community gets ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Since it will be the first World Cup with 48 teams—expanded from the conventional 32-team structure—this is a historic occurrence for the competition.
‘‘The world will be invading Canada, Mexico, and the United States and they will be invaded by a big wave of joy and of happiness because that’s what football is about…I mean these three countries will be upside down and then flipped again back…” remarked FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Are you ready for the arguably best FIFA World Cup of the 21st century ?