The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across 16 cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada — the first tournament ever co-hosted by three nations, and the largest in history with 48 teams and 104 matches. With three opening ceremonies, stadiums spanning three time zones, and separate visa requirements for each country, this is the most ambitious World Cup yet.
Which Countries Are Hosting FIFA World Cup 2026?
Three nations share hosting duties, with the United States staging the majority of matches.
- The United States hosts 11 of the 16 venues, including the final at New York/New Jersey and semifinals in Dallas and Atlanta
- Mexico hosts 3 venues, including the opening match at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca
- Canada hosts 2 venues in Toronto and Vancouver
The tournament kicks off on 11 June 2026 with Mexico vs. South Africa at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) and wraps up on 19 July with the final at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). For a detailed breakdown of key dates, check out our guide on the 2026 FIFA World Cup start date.
All 16 FIFA World Cup 2026 Stadiums
Here’s the complete list of every venue, organized by country. Note that FIFA assigns each stadium a neutral tournament name to avoid commercial sponsor conflicts — 14 of the 16 venues use city-based names for the duration of the World Cup.
United States (11 Venues)
| Host City | Stadium (Usual Name) | FIFA Tournament Name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York/New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | New York New Jersey Stadium | 82,500 |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | Dallas Stadium | 94,000 |
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles Stadium | 70,000 |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Stadium | 65,000 |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta Stadium | 75,000 |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | Houston Stadium | 72,000 |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | Seattle Stadium | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Levi’s Stadium | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | 71,000 |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | Boston Stadium | 65,000 |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia Stadium | 69,000 |
| Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City Stadium | 73,000 |
Mexico (3 Venues)
| Host City | Stadium (Usual Name) | FIFA Tournament Name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City Stadium | 83,000 |
| Guadalajara | Estadio Akron | Estadio Guadalajara | 48,000 |
| Monterrey | Estadio BBVA | Estadio Monterrey | 53,500 |
Canada (2 Venues)
| Host City | Stadium (Usual Name) | FIFA Tournament Name | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | BC Place | BC Place Vancouver | 54,000 |
| Toronto | BMO Field | Toronto Stadium | 45,000 |
Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) is the largest venue at 94,000 seats. Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) is the smallest at 45,000 — though it received $146 million in renovations to expand capacity for the tournament. For a deep dive into every venue’s layout, transport links, and match assignments, see our complete FIFA World Cup 2026 stadiums guide.
Opening Ceremonies
For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA is staging three separate opening ceremonies — one in each host country. Each ceremony is connected by a creative theme that reimagines the FIFA World Cup Trophy through the cultural lens of each nation.
- Mexico City — 11 June 2026, 11:30 a.m. CST: The first ceremony takes place at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca), 90 minutes before the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. Performers include Alejandro Fernandez, Belinda, Danny Ocean, J Balvin, Lila Downs, Los Angeles Azules, Mana, and Tyla.
- Toronto — 12 June 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET: Canada’s ceremony at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) features Alanis Morissette, Alessia Cara, Jessie Reyez, Michael Buble, Nora Fatehi, William Prince, Elyanna, DJ Sanjoy, and Vegedream.
- Los Angeles — 12 June 2026, 4:30 p.m. PT: The US ceremony at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) is headlined by Katy Perry, Future, Anitta, LISA, Rema, and Tyla, with additional artists still to be announced.
For full details on performers, broadcast times, and how to watch, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 opening ceremony guide.
Key Matches and Where They’re Being Played
The tournament’s marquee fixtures are spread across the continent.
Opening Match
Mexico vs. South Africa kicks off the tournament on 11 June 2026 at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) in Mexico City. This makes Estadio Azteca the first venue in history to host matches across three FIFA World Cups — it previously staged the 1970 and 1986 finals. For more on this fixture, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 first match guide.
The Final
New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts the final on 19 July 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET. The stadium is undergoing renovations for the event, including the installation of a natural grass pitch and the removal of 1,740 corner seats to accommodate the full-size soccer field. For a deep dive into the final venue, kickoff time, and ticketing, see our dedicated guides on the FIFA World Cup 2026 final date and the MetLife Stadium fan guide.
Semifinals
The two semifinal matches will be held in the United States:
- Semifinal 1: 14 July 2026 at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) — 3:00 p.m. ET
- Semifinal 2: 15 July 2026 at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) — 3:00 p.m. ET
For travel tips specific to these cities, read our guide on the World Cup semifinal cities.
Tournament Timeline
- Group stage: 11–27 June (48 teams, 12 groups of four)
- Round of 32: 28 June – 3 July
- Round of 16: 4–7 July
- Quarterfinals: 9–11 July (Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Kansas City)
- Semifinals: 14–15 July (Dallas, Atlanta)
- Third-place match: 18 July (Miami)
- Final: 19 July (New York/New Jersey)
For the full 104-match fixture list, see our FIFA World Cup 2026 dates and schedule guide.
How to Plan Your World Cup 2026 Travel
Traveling across three countries for a single tournament requires serious planning. Here’s what to know at a glance. For the complete breakdown, read our full trip-planning guide.
Visas and Entry Requirements
There is no single World Cup visa — the US, Canada, and Mexico each have separate entry requirements. You may need up to three visas if you plan to follow matches across borders.
- United States: Citizens of 42 Visa Waiver Program countries can apply for an ESTA. All other nationalities need a B1/B2 visitor visa. The US State Department has introduced FIFA PASS, which links match tickets to visa applications and provides priority interview scheduling — check the FIFA PASS deadline for key dates.
- Canada: Visa-exempt nationalities flying into Toronto or Vancouver need a Canadian eTA (separate from the US ESTA). Others must apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV). See our Canada eTA vs. visitor visa guide.
- Mexico: Mexico is visa-free for most nationalities, and holders of valid US, Canada, UK, Japan, or Schengen visas can also enter without a separate Mexican visa. A Mexico Tourist Card (FMM) is required for all visitors.
Our comprehensive FIFA World Cup 2026 visa guide covers requirements by nationality. US-bound fans should also check the ESTA guide for World Cup 2026, and those eligible for the visa bond waiver can learn more in the World Cup visa bond waiver explainer.
Flights
Search for flights to New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City, or Toronto on Wego to compare routes and fares.
We’ve also published city-by-city flight guides for fans across the Middle East, South Asia, and beyond:
- World Cup flights from the UAE
- World Cup flights from Saudi Arabia
- World Cup flights from Qatar
- World Cup flights from India
- World Cup flights from Egypt
- World Cup flights from Turkiye
- World Cup flights from Morocco
- World Cup flights from Pakistan
- World Cup flights from Bangladesh
- World Cup flights from Malaysia
- World Cup flights from Oman
Accommodation
Hotels near stadiums are filling up fast for June and July 2026 — and prices are surging in some cities. Book refundable rooms early. Refer to our dedicated hotels guides to learn more:
- US World Cup Hotels 2026: Where to Stay Near Every FIFA Stadium
- Mexico World Cup Hotels 2026: Where to Stay Near Every Stadium
- Toronto World Cup 2026: Hotels Near BMO Field
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Hotel Prices: Cheapest and Most Expensive Host Cities
- World Cup Hotel Crisis: Scams, Price Surges, and How to Book Smart
Tickets
Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis through FIFA.com/tickets. FIFA uses dynamic pricing, meaning ticket costs fluctuate based on demand. As of late May 2026, prices have increased significantly since initial sales phases — group-stage tickets generally start around $75–200, while the final can run upward of several thousand dollars.
FIFA has also introduced a special Category 4 “Supporter Entry Tier” priced at $60 per ticket, available in limited quantities (roughly 400–1,000 per match) exclusively to residents of the US, Canada, and Mexico through their respective football federations.
For detailed pricing and availability, see our World Cup 2026 tickets guide and final tickets breakdown.
Getting Around
The 16 host cities are organized into three regional clusters:
- Western: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles
- Central: Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City
- Eastern: Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia, New York/New Jersey
Domestic flights are the most practical way to move between regions — expect to pay $200–400 for cross-country US routes and $100–200 for short hops within Mexico. FlixBus is running service connecting all US, Canadian, and Mexican host cities for budget-conscious fans. For stadium-day transport, some cities (Atlanta, Houston, Seattle) have direct rail links to stadiums at standard fares, while others have set up special shuttle services.
For comprehensive transport information, read our US transport guide for World Cup 2026, World Cup road trip guide, and our World Cup car rental guide.
Safety
Concerned about traveling for the tournament? Our World Cup 2026 safety guide covers security measures, travel advisories, and tips for staying safe across all three host countries. You can also check our city-specific guides: Is the US safe for World Cup fans? and Is Mexico City safe for World Cup fans?
Best World Cup 2026 Host Cities to Visit
If you can only pick a few cities, here are standout options for different types of fans.
For First-Time Visitors to North America
New York and Los Angeles offer the most well-connected airports and the widest range of accommodation. Both cities also host multiple group-stage matches, giving you more fixture options.
For Budget-Conscious Fans
Houston, Kansas City, and Philadelphia tend to have lower accommodation costs than the coastal cities. Mexico’s three host cities — Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey — are significantly cheaper for food and lodging compared to US cities. For a full cost comparison, check out our cheapest World Cup cities ranking.
For the Atmosphere
Miami and Atlanta are expected to host some of the liveliest fan zones and cultural programming around match days. Mexico City brings decades of World Cup heritage to 2026, and will be the site of the FIFA Fan Festival.
For a full breakdown of cross-border logistics, transit tips, and inter-city travel, check out our complete guide on how to plan your FIFA World Cup 2026 trip. We’ve also published dedicated country guides for the US, Mexico, and Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the 2026 FIFA World Cup being held?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is being held across 16 cities in three countries: the United States (11 venues), Mexico (3 venues), and Canada (2 venues). It is the first World Cup to be co-hosted by three nations.
Which stadium is hosting the World Cup 2026 final?
New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts the final on 19 July 2026 at 3:00 p.m. ET. See our MetLife Stadium guide for full details.
How many matches will be played at the 2026 World Cup?
A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues from 11 June to 19 July 2026, making it the largest FIFA World Cup ever with 48 teams competing in 12 groups.
Do I need separate visas for the US, Mexico, and Canada?
Yes. Each country has its own entry requirements. Depending on your nationality, you may need up to three separate visas or travel authorizations to attend matches across all three host nations. The US offers an ESTA for eligible nationalities, Canada requires an eTA for visa-exempt travelers, and Mexico is visa-free for most nationalities. See our World Cup 2026 visa guide for details.
When is the opening match of the 2026 World Cup?
The opening match is on 11 June 2026 — Mexico vs. South Africa at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca). The tournament also features three opening ceremonies on 11–12 June in Mexico City, Toronto, and Los Angeles.
Where are the 2026 World Cup semifinals being played?
The semifinals are being held at Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium) on 14 July and Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) on 15 July 2026. Both matches kick off at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Sources
- FIFA — Host Countries and Cities
- FIFA — Match Schedule, Fixtures & Stadiums
- FIFA — Stadium Information
- FIFA — Opening Ceremony Mexico City
- FIFA — Opening Ceremony USA
- FIFA — Tickets
- US Department of State — FIFA World Cup 2026 Visas
- Olympics.com — FIFA World Cup 2026: Full List of Stadiums
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
