Stadiums of the 2026 FIFA World Cup: A Look at the 16 Venues in the USA, Canada, and Mexico

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history as it will be the first time the tournament is hosted by three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. This edition will also feature an unprecedented 48 teams competing in 104 matches. A total of 16 stadiums have been selected as venues, including iconic locations such as the Estadio Azteca and state-of-the-art NFL stadiums, making it one of the largest sporting events in North America. This article provides a detailed overview of all the stadiums involved, including their capacities, unique features, host cities, and details regarding the opening match and final.

Summary

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
• A total of 16 stadiums will serve as venues for the tournament.
• Eleven stadiums are located in the USA, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
• The opening match will be held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
• The final will take place at MetLife Stadium in the New York metropolitan area.
• Several venues are among the largest stadiums in North America.
• The Estadio Azteca, one of the most famous stadiums in football history, will be part of the tournament.

Overview of the 2026 World Cup Stadiums

The 2026 World Cup is poised to set new standards in football. For the first time, 48 national teams will participate, and it will be jointly hosted by three nations. Accordingly, the number of venues is significant, with 16 stadiums across the USA, Mexico, and Canada selected by FIFA.

The majority of matches will occur in the United States, which will host eleven of the sixteen stadiums, featuring some of the world’s largest and most modern sports arenas. Mexico will contribute the Estadio Azteca, Estadio BBVA, and Estadio Akron, while Canada will be represented by BMO Field in Toronto and BC Place in Vancouver.

⚽ 2026 World Cup at a Glance

• 🌎 Host Countries: USA, Mexico, and Canada
• 🏟️ Venues: 16 stadiums
• ⚽ Matches: 104
• 👥 Participants: 48 national teams
• 🏆 Final: New York New Jersey Stadium
• 🎉 Opening Match: Estadio Azteca

List of the 2026 World Cup Stadiums

| Stadium Name | Official FIFA Name | City/Region | Country | Capacity* | |----------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------|---------|-------------| | MetLife Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium | New York / New Jersey | USA | 82,500 | | AT&T Stadium | Dallas Stadium | Dallas | USA | 92,967 | | NRG Stadium | Houston Stadium | Houston | USA | 72,220 | | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | USA | 75,000 | | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | USA | 70,240 | | Levi’s Stadium | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium| San Francisco Bay Area | USA | 68,500 | | Lumen Field | Seattle Stadium | Seattle | USA | 69,000 | | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | USA | 69,796 | | Gillette Stadium | Boston Stadium | Boston | USA | 65,878 | | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Stadium | Miami | USA | 64,767 | | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | USA | 76,416 | | Estadio Azteca | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico | 83,264 | | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey Stadium | Monterrey | Mexico | 53,500 | | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara Stadium | Guadalajara | Mexico | 49,850 | | BMO Field | Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Canada | 45,736 | | BC Place | Vancouver Stadium | Vancouver | Canada | 54,500 |

*The listed capacities may vary slightly due to temporary adjustments for the FIFA World Cup. FIFA uses neutral stadium names without sponsor designations during the tournament.

The range of venues spans from historic football stadiums to modern multifunctional arenas typically used for NFL games. Some stadiums feature retractable roofs, while others can accommodate over 80,000 spectators.

The spotlight will particularly shine on the Estadio Azteca as the venue for the opening match, and the New York New Jersey Stadium, which will host the World Cup final on July 19, 2026.

Host Cities of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held across 16 cities located in the three host countries: the USA, Mexico, and Canada. While the United States will host the majority of matches, Mexico and Canada will also have several venues. The selected cities are among the most significant metropolitan areas in North America, boasting modern infrastructure, large stadiums, and extensive experience in hosting international sporting events.

From the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast, the tournament will cover multiple time zones and thousands of kilometers, offering fans a unique blend of football, culture, and regional diversity.

Host Cities in the USA

The USA will provide the largest share of venues, with eleven stadiums selected. Many of these venues are typically used for NFL games and are considered among the most modern sports arenas globally.

| City | State | Stadium | |-----------------------|------------|-------------------------------| | New York / New Jersey | New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | | Dallas | Texas | AT&T Stadium | | Houston | Texas | NRG Stadium | | Atlanta | Georgia | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | | Los Angeles | California | SoFi Stadium | | San Francisco Bay Area| California | Levi’s Stadium | | Seattle | Washington | Lumen Field | | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania| Lincoln Financial Field | | Boston | Massachusetts| Gillette Stadium | | Miami | Florida | Hard Rock Stadium | | Kansas City | Missouri | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium|

New York/New Jersey will be the site of the World Cup final, while Dallas is expected to host a significant number of matches. Other notable cities include Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta, all of which are internationally recognized host cities for the tournament.

Host Cities in Mexico

Mexico is making history by hosting the World Cup for the third time, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986. No other nation has hosted a men's World Cup three times.

| City | Stadium | |---------------|------------------| | Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | | Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | | Guadalajara | Estadio Akron |

The Estadio Azteca, in particular, has a legendary status, having previously hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986. It will add another chapter to its storied history with the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Host Cities in Canada

Canada will host the tournament with two venues, marking the largest football event in its history. The two stadiums are located on opposite coasts and represent two of Canada's most important metropolitan areas.

| City | Stadium | |-----------|--------------| | Toronto | BMO Field | | Vancouver | BC Place |

Toronto and Vancouver have experience with international events and will play a central role in promoting football in Canada during the World Cup.

Distribution of the World Cup Stadiums 2026

• 🇺🇸 USA: 11 stadiums
• 🇲🇽 Mexico: 3 stadiums
• 🇨🇦 Canada: 2 stadiums

This means that nearly 70% of all venues will be located in the United States.

In the next section, we will provide detailed profiles of all 16 stadiums for the 2026 World Cup, showcasing the largest arenas in North America alongside historic football venues with World Cup legacies.