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FIFA is coming. The next big sports event, the FIFA World Cup, is gearing up for 2026. With more youth, the craze for football has increased. With more teams, more cities, and more excitement, the next edition will mark a new era for the sport.
Wondering where the next FIFA world cup is going to be held? Let’s get into the details (tentative) about the host countries, stadiums, and venues for this global tournament.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Country
Not 1, not 2 but 3 countries will be jointly hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the very first time in FIFA history US (United States), Canada, and Mexico will co-host this global tournament.
Why Three Countries Are Hosting FIFA 2026
FIFA decided to expand the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams from the previous 32 teams. This massive increase required more venues, infrastructure, and global accessibility making the joint bid from these three nations the perfect choice.
The United States will host the majority of matches, while Mexico and Canada will each host a smaller number of games. This shared approach also allows fans from across North America to experience the world’s biggest sporting event.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Cities and Venues
There will be 16 stadiums across these three countries where the matches will take place. Here’s the official list of confirmed FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums and venues:
US (United States) (11 Cities)
- The first one will be in Atlanta city at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
- The second one will be in Boston (Foxborough) at Gillette Stadium.
- The third one will be in Dallas (Arlington) at AT&T Stadium.
- The fourth one will be in Houston at NRG Stadium.
- The fifth one will be in Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.
- The sixth one will be in Los Angeles (Inglewood) at SoFi Stadium.
- The seventh one will be in Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium.
- The eighth one will be in New York/New Jersey at MetLife Stadium.
- The ninth one will be in Philadelphia at Lincoln Financial Field.
- The tenth one will be in the San Francisco Bay Area (Santa Clara) at Levi’s Stadium.
- The eleventh one will be in Seattle at Lumen Field.
Canada (2 Cities)
- The first one will be in Toronto at BMO Field.
- The second one will be in Vancouver at BC Place Stadium.
Mexico (3 Cities)
- The first one will be in Guadalajara at Estadio Akron.
- The second one will be in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca.
- The third one will be in Monterrey at Estadio BBVA.
The Estadio Azteca in Mexico City will make history by becoming the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cups after 1970 and 1986.
FIFA 2026 Groups
48 teams of FIFA 2026 divided into 12 groups (Groups A–L), each group contains 4 teams, below is the updated chart.
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
Mexico | Canada | Brazil | USA |
Korea Republic | Qatar | Morocco | Australia |
South Africa | Switzerland | Scotland | Paraguay |
— | — | Haiti | — |
Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
Curaçao | Japan | Belgium | Cabo Verde |
Côte d’Ivoire | Netherlands | Egypt | Saudi Arabia |
Ecuador | Tunisia | IR Iran | Spain |
Germany | — | New Zealand | Uruguay |
Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L |
France | Algeria | Colombia | Croatia |
Norway | Argentina | Portugal | England |
Senegal | Austria | Uzbekistan | Ghana |
— | Jordan | — | Panama |
Some Fun Facts of FIFA 2026
World Ranking of the Qualified Teams in FIFA 2026
- Spain – 1
- Argentina – 2
- France – 3
- England – 4
- Brazil – 5
- Portugal – 6
- Netherlands – 7
- Belgium – 8
- Germany – 9
- Croatia – 10
- Morocco – 11
- Colombia – 13
- USA – 14
- Mexico – 15
- Uruguay – 16
- Switzerland – 17
- Japan – 18
- Senegal – 19
- IR Iran – 20
- Korea Republic – 22
- Ecuador – 23
- Austria – 24
- Australia – 26
- Canada – 27
- Norway – 29
- Panama – 30
- Algeria – 34
- Egypt – 35
- Scotland – 36
- Paraguay – 39
- Tunisia – 41
- Côte d’Ivoire – 42
- Uzbekistan – 50
- Qatar – 54
- Saudi Arabia – 60
- South Africa – 61
- Jordan – 64
- Cabo Verde – 67
- Ghana – 72
- Curaçao – 82
- Haiti – 84
- New Zealand – 87
First-Time Participant Countries at FIFA World Cup 2026
- Cabo Verde
- Curaçao
- Jordan
- Uzbekistan
Where Will the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Be Held?
While FIFA has yet to officially confirm the final venue, sources indicate that the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey is at the top of the list. The opening match may be hosted in Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca, honoring its legacy as one of the most iconic football arenas in the world.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Format and Schedule
The 2026 tournament will introduce a new format featuring 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the best eight third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage.
The total number of matches will increase from 64 to 104, making it the largest World Cup ever played. The competition is scheduled to begin in June 2026 and will conclude in July 2026.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Location Benefits
Hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 across three countries brings several advantages:
- Diverse fan experience – Football fans can enjoy different cultures and atmospheres across North America.
- Improved accessibility – Major airports and modern transport systems make travel easier.
- Economic boost – Cities expect billions in revenue from tourism and global exposure.
- Sustainability focus – Existing stadiums will minimize construction waste and environmental impact.
FIFA 2026 Host Country Facts
- The US (United States) last hosted the World Cup in 1994.
- Mexico hosted it twice before in 1970 and 1986.
- Canada will host its first-ever men’s FIFA World Cup in 2026.
- It’s the first World Cup where matches will be played in three different nations simultaneously.
Conclusion
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is more than just a tournament, it’s a celebration of football on a global scale. With three host countries, 16 world-class venues, and 48 competing teams, this edition will break records in size, diversity, and excitement.
So whether you’re planning to attend in person or watch from home, get ready – the next FIFA World Cup host 2026 promises to deliver football history like never before.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only. Details may change and can vary by location. Please verify information from official sources before making any decisions. The author is not responsible for actions taken based on this content.
