The FIFA World Cup is a unique event that everyone around the globe looks forward to. The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup is much anticipated, and rigorous planning is underway.
To make the tournament more entertaining, FIFA has promised many changes to how the tournament is being played. The tournament will take place in the USA, Mexico, and Canada and will feature 48 countries. The games will be played in 16 stadiums across the major cities in the countries. In this article, I will highlight the games hosting and help you decide which stadium to visit first. Read on
The 2026 FIFA World Cup
This FIFA edition is different from what we witnessed in the Qatar 2022 edition, where all matches took place within a one-hour drive of each other. Another exciting thing is that the format differs from the previous edition.
Format and Expansion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup edition will have the biggest expansion in history, as 48 countries are scheduled to participate.
FIFA announced it “aims to attract more nations, generate more money, and create more exciting matches.” It was reported that FIFA is projected to gather around $11 billion in revenue in the tournament.
The FIFA website stated that the participating 48 nations will be divided into 12 and grouped into four teams. Two teams from the 12 groups will qualify. Eight of the best third places will also be selected to join the 24 teams, making 32. The tournament will return to its traditional middle year as the first kick-off is scheduled to commence on the 11th of June, 2026, and the final will take place on the 19th of July, 2026.
Previous Expansion Formats
At the tournament’s official opening in 2023, it was initially stated that the format would feature three national teams in 16 groups, and two teams from each group would qualify for the knock stage of round 32. However, following the success of the Qatar 2022 edition, the format announced earlier was dropped, and a new format was announced in February 2024, as explained above.
FIFA states that changing to the new format is to “mitigate the risk of collusion and ensure that all the teams play a minimum of three matches while providing balanced rest time between competing teams.”
A guide to the stadiums and venues of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. What to visit first
As mentioned earlier, the tournament will be held in three different countries in North America. The match will be played in 16 cities. Eleven cities from the USA. Three cities are from Mexico, and two are from Canada. Now, let’s look into each of these cities and the stadium.
USA
MetLife Stadium
It is an 82,500-seat stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, beside New York. It is one of the contenders to host the final. It was built in 2010 and has since hosted many significant sporting events. The 2016 Copa America final between Chile and Argentina was played in the stadium. The City is a bubbling metropolis with world-class museums and a diverse cultural scene. Multiple public transit options connect NYC to the stadium.
SoFi Stadium
SoFi is another massive stadium scheduled to host the upcoming World Cup games. It is located in Inglewood, on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California, and can accommodate over 100,000 persons at a time.
Los Angeles was also used to host both the 1994 and 1999 World Cup. The stadium also hosted multiple matches in the 2003 Women’s World Cup. There are luxury accommodations near the stadium. The City has a rich selection of dining and entertainment. The City is also renowned for its beautiful beaches and high-end cuisine.
Arrowhead Stadium
The stadium is located in Kansas City. The stadium has hosted many international friendlies and a World Cup qualifier. The City has a large fanbase in the MLS league, and it is one of the best sporting atmospheres in North America. It has many beautiful hotels and boutique inns around, and there are public transport and rideshare options across the metropolis to make movement easy.
Gillette Stadium
The stadium is located between Boston and Providence in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The stadium has hosted many MLS matches, the World Cup, and Copa America Qualifiers. The City of Boston has hosted qualifiers in all three US World Cups.
Though Foxborough is limited, Boston and Providence can welcome tourists with many options. There will be a public shuttle to help fans travel to the venue during the tournament. The City has natural scenery and a beautiful historical culture.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is an iconic venue with advanced technology. It is situated in the heart of Atlanta. Nearby, Georgia. The stadium has seats of around 73,000. Though the City has never hosted a World Cup, it’s recorded as one of the top-attended MLS games. It will likely be one of the World Cup Semi-Final hosts. There are luxury hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues near the stadium. The venue is easily accessible by MARTA, Atlanta’s public transit system.
AT&T Stadium
The 105,000-seat capacity stadium in Arlington is a massive football edifice between Dallas and ForthWorth. It is scheduled to host some of the critical games in the tournament. The City of Dallas also participated in the 1994 World Cup. The stadium hosted four group stage matches, one round of 16, and the quarter-final between Brazil and the Netherlands.
Lincoln Financial Field
The Lincoln Financial Field is part of the stadium that will also hold matches in the tournament. It is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The stadium was opened in 2003 and has about 67,000 seat capacity. It also hit many group-stage matches in the 2003 Women’s World Cup. It has also hosted many US National Team games and Copa America matches. It is near the stadium, with easy access to public transit.
The other stadiums in the USA that will host part of the competition are;
- Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida
- the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
- The Lumen Field is in Seattle, Washington.
- The NRG Stadium is located in Houston, Texas.
Mexico
The Estadio Azteca
The stadium is located in Mexico City. The City hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986. Fans who have visited in those years will want to know what has now changed in the City, and it is anticipated the City will be flooded more than any other place. The City is also scheduled to host many crucial knockout stage games.
The history and atmosphere of this beautiful City are enough to draw many visitors from across the world. The City has an extensive public transit system, and luxury accommodations are available near the stadium.
Estadio BBVA
The stadium is located in Guadeloupe, Monterrey. The stadium hosted multiple group-stage games and a quarter-final in 1986. The City is spectacular for its scenic mountain views, modern cityscapes, and fascinating street art. A range of hotels is nearby, and it is easy to reach the stadium via local buses and taxis.
Estadio Akron
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco. The City hosted ten matches in the 1986 World Cup and a semi-final. As a guest, you will experience the City’s colorful colonial buildings, cultural Mariachi music, and the famous tequila distilleries. The City has numerous hotels and public transport options for easy access to the stadium.
Canada
BC Place
Located in Vancouver, the BC Place has hosted multiple matches in the 2015 Women’s and even the final. It’s notorious for its innovative stadium design. Vancouver’s BC place is situated in the center of Vancouver, which provides nearby hotels and a public transit link to the stadium for easy access.
BMO Field
The BMO Field is another 2026 World Cup venue in Toronto, Canada. However, it’s the smallest on the list and currently holds around 30,000 capacity. It will be expanded to 45,000 capacity by 2026. This stadium boasts a wide variety of hotels. The City’s subway and streetcar systems make accessing BMO Field easy.
What Stadium to Visit First?
If your country is among the competing nations, you may want to give maximum support and visit the stadium where your country is having matches. But if your preference is based on where to have maximum entertainment, I will recommend the SoFi Stadium or Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the USA. The two are scheduled to host high-stakes World Cup games.
If you’re visiting Canada, BC Place in Vancouver has the most welcoming atmosphere and scenic surroundings. It is worth being your preference.
If you prefer a historical experience, do not miss the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The City and stadium will connect you with the legacy of the two World Cup finals in the past. All efforts are underway to ensure the 2026 World Cup edition has a memorable global impression.
As everyone is preparing, bookmakers and betting companies, especially in the Netherlands, are also gearing up to provide fans with a thrilling betting experience. The great betting sites in the Netherlands are preparing for this global event by aiming to offer competitive odds on match results and players performance.
Most of these betting platforms at MightyTips site are even planning to make special promotions for the world cup event. There would be incentives, a lot of bonuses, free bets and uncommon odds to make fans experience the fun of the world cup to the fullest.
Conclusion
Every host city has both luxury and budget hotel options. Big cities like NYC, Miami, and Los Angeles have more choices than small cities like Foxborough and Kansas City. In the USA, robust domestic flights can be easily commuted within cities. Canada’s VIA rail and Mexico Intercity buses make the long-distance journey between the host cities easier. With all being said. There is high confidence that the FIFA world cup 2026 will be a blast.