World Cup cities 2026: List of 16 stadiums, host venues selected by FIFA in USA, Canada, Mexico

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The 2022 FIFA men’s World Cup in Qatar hasn’t even happened yet, but the focus is already turning to what will be the biggest World Cup ever held in the history of the tournament in 2026.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature a 48-team expanded format, increasing the field from the current 32-team setup which has existed since 1998. 

FIFA on June 16 announced its 16 venue selections for the 2026 event, which for the first time will be held across three countries: North American nations USA, Canada and Mexico will team up to host the event with more teams (48) and matches (80) than ever before.

In an event that was held at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, the world governing body made its final decisions known with 16 stadiums selected: 11 in the USA alone, three in Mexico and two or two in Canada. 

MORE: How the format will work for the 48-team 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada

World Cup host cities 2026 announcement

There were 22 host cities and 23 total venues (two in LA) on the shortlist for selection, but only 16 made the cut. 

The 16 cities were unveiled by region, starting with cities out west, followed by central region cities and then the five cities in the east. A total of 60 matches will be played on U.S. soil with 10 each in Mexico and Canada.

It’s worth noting that Toronto will be expanding BMO Field to meet the capacity requirements by FIFA. It will go from its current 30,000 capacity to 45,000 for the event in 2026.

Country City Stadium Capacity
Canada Toronto, Ontario BMO Field 45,500
Canada Vancouver, B.C. BC Place 54,000
Mexico Guadalajara, Jalisco Estadio Akron 46,232
Mexico Mexico City Estadio Azteca 87,523
Mexico Monterrey, Nuevo Leon Estadio BBVA 53,500
USA Atlanta, Ga. Mercedes-Benz Stadium 71,000
USA Boston, Mass. Gillette Stadium 65,878
USA Dallas, Tex.
(Arlington, Tex.)		 AT&T Stadium 80,000
USA Houston, Tex. NRG Stadium 71,795
USA Kansas City, Mo. Arrowhead Stadium 76,416
USA Los Angeles, Calif.
(Inglewood, Calif.)		 SoFi Stadium 70,240
USA Miami, Fla. Hard Rock Stadium 64,767
USA New York / New Jersey
(East Rutherford, N.J.)		 MetLife Stadium 82,500
USA Philadelphia, Pa. Lincoln Financial Field 69,176
USA San Francisco, Calif.
(Santa Clara, Calif.)		 Levi’s Stadium 68,500
USA Seattle, Wash. Lumen Field 69,000

Which cities missed out on World Cup 2026?

Here are the seven cities that missed out on hosting the World Cup at the final hurdle.

The Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted the final of the 1994 World Cup, when the event was last hosted by the USA. Edmonton had been rumored to be out of the running for several days. 

Country City Stadium Capacity
Canada Edmonton, Alberta Commonwealth Stadium 56,302
USA Baltimore, Md.
Washington, D.C.		 M&T Bank Stadium 71,006
USA Cincinnati, Ohio Paul Brown Stadium 65,515
USA Denver, Colo. Mile High Stadium 76,125
USA Los Angeles
(Pasadena, Calif.)		 Rose Bowl 92,000
USA Nashville, Tenn. Nissan Stadium 69,143
USA Orlando, Fla. Camping World Stadium 60,219

FIFA World Cup host cities 2026 live updates, highlights from selection show

All times ET

5:52 p.m.: The show was closed out with a performance by Becky G.

5:51 p.m.: The World Cup venue selection matters to Christian Pulisic, who has ties to both Philadelphia and Miami.

Speaking of Philadelphia, here was the reaction at the watch party on the announcement:

5:49 p.m.: There were watch parties in some cities that didn’t get the World Cup. Here was the reaction in Baltimore/Washington, D.C.:

Here was the reaction by one segment of Cincinnati on the snub:

5:38 p.m.: FIFA President Gianni Infantino unveiled the final group of cities in the East: Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and New York/New Jersey.

5:37 p.m.: The reaction by fans gathered in Kansas City. One final group of cities left to be named.

5:31 p.m.: Becky G unveiled the Central Region (six cities): Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Monterrey and Mexico City.

5:29 p.m.: Canadian national team player Jonathan Osorio offering some comments. He essentially revealed that Toronto will be getting the World Cup.

5:24 p.m.: The cities will be announced by regions, starting with the West Region. The first five cities are: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, LA (SoFi Stadium, not the Rose Bowl), and Guadalajara (Mexico).

5:13 p.m.: One more commercial break and then they say we’ll be getting names. Becky G will also be performing at some point. She’s not the only VIP. Players in attendance below at 30 Rockefeller Plaza:

5:07 p.m.: The way Alexi Lalas talks about the World Cup will give you goosebumps:

5 p.m.: The broadcasts have started. It’s only a matter of time before the names of the cities begin their rollout.

4:32 p.m.: Already talk about which city is getting the World Cup draw.

4:22 p.m.: There will be watch parties across the continent. Here are two in the Bay Area (USA), Kansas City (USA), New York (USA), Guadalajara (Mexico), and Toronto (Canada):

3:33 p.m.: The same reporter, David Medrano, indicates that FIFA is contemplating simultaneous inauguration in all three countries.

3:28 p.m.: According to one Mexican media member, all 10 of Mexico’s matches will come in the group stage with all three venues getting matches, with four assigned to the Estadio Azteca.

3:20 p.m.: Prior to announcement day, there were a few reports already circling about a couple of venues. Most reported on Canadian city Edmonton, which is almost certainly on the outside looking in. While the initial plan was to have three venues in Canada and three in Mexico, FIFA seems to have ultimately decided on adding an additional U.S. city, and Edmonton appears to be the one sacrificed.

Another report out of Canada suggested the same, and added the note that Vancouver would be awarded six of Canada’s 10 matches, while Toronto would host four, rather than an even five and five split.

What channel is the 2026 World Cup host city announcement on? 

  • Date: Thursday, June 16
  • Time: 5 p.m. ET
  • USA TV channel: FS1 | Universo 
  • Canada TV channel: TSN 1/5
  • Live streams: Fox Sports Go | TSN GO | TSN Direct | fuboTV | FIFA+

In the United States, for English language audiences, FS1 will reveal the venues on a special broadcast live at that time. For Spanish language audiences, the venue reveal will be broadcast live on Universo.

In Canada, the selection will be broadcast on TSN1/5.

Additionally, around the world, the announcement can be watched on FIFA+ which is FIFA’s official streaming platform.

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