2026 FIFA World Cup in USA: Host Cities, Matches & TV Broadcasters
The biggest soccer tournament on Earth is coming to America. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the first tournament with 48 teams across three nations.
The United States serves as the main host with 78 out of 104 total matches. Canada and Mexico will each host 13 games.
Mark your calendars for June 11 to July 19, 2026. This is the first World Cup in the USA since 1994. American soccer fans have waited 32 years for this moment. The tournament brings world-class soccer to your backyard with 11 incredible host cities across the country.
USA Host Cities & Stadiums
The United States has 11 cities ready to welcome the world. These venues are split into three regions to make travel easier for teams and fans.
Eastern Region
| City | Stadium | Capacity | Matches | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York/New Jersey | MetLife Stadium | 82,500 | 8 | Hosts World Cup Final |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | 65,000 | 6 | 22 miles from downtown |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | 67,000 | 6 | July 4 Round of 16 match |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | 65,000 | 7 | Hosts Bronze Final |
| Atlanta | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 | 8 | Hosts Semifinal July 15 |
The East Coast brings five incredible venues. MetLife Stadium in New Jersey gets the biggest prize – the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. Philadelphia’s match on July 4 coincides with America’s 250th birthday celebration.
Miami hosts the Bronze Final (third-place match) on July 18. Atlanta’s state-of-the-art stadium with a retractable roof hosts one semifinal.
Central Region
| City | Stadium | Capacity | Matches | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium | 80,000-105,000 | 9 | Most matches + Semifinal July 14 |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | 72,000 | 7 | Retractable roof |
| Kansas City | GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | 76,000 | 6 | Loudest stadium (world record) |
Dallas leads all cities with nine total matches including a semifinal on July 14. The massive AT&T Stadium can expand to hold over 100,000 fans.
Houston’s climate-controlled venue and Kansas City’s record-breaking loud crowd will create amazing atmospheres.
Western Region
| City | Stadium | Capacity | Matches | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | SoFi Stadium | 70,000+ | 8 | USMNT opens here June 12 |
| San Francisco Bay Area | Levi’s Stadium | 68,500 | 6 | Located in Santa Clara |
| Seattle | Lumen Field | 69,000 | 6 | USMNT group stage match |
Los Angeles brings the ultra-modern SoFi Stadium where Team USA opens their tournament on June 12. The West Coast venues keep the USA team in familiar territory for all three group matches.
Seattle’s passionate soccer fans will create an electric atmosphere.
How Many Matches will be Played in the USA?
The United States will host 78 matches out of 104 total games. This represents 75% of the entire tournament. Canada and Mexico each host only 13 matches.
All the biggest matches from the quarterfinals onward happen in USA stadiums. The knockout stage schedule breaks down like this:
- Round of 32: June 28 to July 3
- Round of 16: July 4 to 7
- Quarterfinals: July 9 to 11 (all four in USA)
- Semifinals: July 14 and 15 (Dallas and Atlanta)
- Bronze Final: July 18 (Miami)
- Final: July 19 (New Jersey)
AT&T Stadium in Dallas leads all venues with nine matches. Every host city gets at least six matches.
USA Team Schedule & Match Locations
American fans want to know where Team USA plays. The schedule keeps things simple for the home team.
USMNT Group Stage Schedule
| Match | Date | Stadium | City |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | June 12, 2026 | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles |
| Match 2 | June 19, 2026 | Lumen Field | Seattle |
| Match 3 | June 25, 2026 | SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles |
Team USA stays on the West Coast for all three group matches. No time zone changes and minimal travel gives the team a real home advantage. The squad can use Los Angeles as their base with just one trip to Seattle.
TV Broadcasters & Streaming Options in USA
Every single match will be on TV. You have complete options for English and Spanish coverage.
English Coverage
FOX and FS1 broadcast all 104 matches in English. FOX shows 69 matches on the main network. FS1 carries 35 matches. Every match also streams live on FOX Sports App and FOX One platform. FOX plans over 340 hours of World Cup programming with pre-game and post-game shows.
Spanish Coverage
Telemundo and Universo provide all 104 matches with Spanish commentary.
Streaming Platforms
| Platform | Monthly Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Peacock TV | $7.99 | Spanish coverage all matches |
| Sling TV Blue | $51 | FOX channels English only |
| YouTube TV | $80+ | FOX and Telemundo both languages |
| fuboTV | $80+ | Complete coverage plus extra sports |
Peacock TV gives budget-conscious fans the best value. YouTube TV and fuboTV cost more but include comprehensive sports packages.
Tournament Format & Complete Schedule
The 2026 format brings major changes. The tournament expands to 48 teams split into 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group advance along with the eight best third-place teams. This creates 104 total matches and a new Round of 32 stage.
Complete Timeline:
- June 11: Opening Match (Mexico in Mexico City)
- June 12: USA and Canada opening matches
- June 11-27: Group Stage (48 matches)
- June 28-July 3: Round of 32 (16 matches)
- July 4-7: Round of 16 (8 matches)
- July 9-11: Quarterfinals (4 matches)
- July 14-15: Semifinals (2 matches)
- July 18: Bronze Final
- July 19: Final at MetLife Stadium
The World Cup Draw happens December 5, 2025 in Washington D.C. This event will be live on FOX.
Fan Zones & Public Viewing Options
You don’t need a match ticket to experience World Cup excitement. All 11 host cities offer free FIFA Fan Festivals with giant screens showing every match.
What Fan Festivals Offer
- Free admission for everyone
- Giant video screens with live match broadcasts
- Food trucks and local vendors
- Live music and cultural performances
- Interactive soccer activities
- Official merchandise stands
Major Fan Festival Locations
- New York/New Jersey: Rockefeller Center transforms its ice rink into a soccer viewing area. Liberty State Park in Jersey City opens for all 104 matches.
- Philadelphia: Lemon Hill Park expects 25,000 people with views of Center City skyline.
- Houston: East Downtown near Shell Energy Stadium expects over 500,000 visitors across 39 days.
- Seattle: Seattle Center accommodates up to 20,000 fans. Washington state adds nine more fan zones in cities like Spokane and Tacoma.
- Kansas City: World War I Museum and Memorial serves as the central gathering spot.
- Dallas: Fair Park’s 277-acre complex hosts major viewing events.
- Los Angeles: Santa Monica Pier and downtown locations offer multiple viewing spots.
- San Francisco Bay Area: Fan festivals spread across San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose.
Tickets: How USA Fans Can Buy & Attend
FIFA uses a lottery system with three phases to keep ticket sales fair.
Three-Phase Process
- Phase 1 (September 2025): Visa Presale Draw required FIFA ID account and Visa card. About one million tickets were available.
- Phase 2 (Late October 2025): Early Ticket Draw gives selected fans assigned time slots from mid-November through early December.
- Phase 3 (After December 5, 2025): Random Selection Draw lets fans apply for specific matches after the tournament draw.
Ticket Pricing
| Match Type | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Group Stage Early | $60 – $600 |
| Group Stage Premium | $1,500 – $2,000 |
| Knockout Rounds | $800 – $3,000 |
| World Cup Final | $2,000 – $6,730 |
FIFA uses dynamic pricing. Prices change based on demand. Hospitality packages start at $1,350 for single matches and reach $8,275 for venue series packages.
How to Get Tickets
- Create FIFA ID account at FIFA.com
- Register interest for tickets
- Enter lottery draws when available
- Wait for selection notification
- Purchase during assigned window
Only buy from official FIFA channels. The official resale platform protects against scams.
Why 2026 is Unmissable for USA Soccer Fans
This tournament offers something special for American fans. The USA team plays at home for the first time in 32 years. Most Americans live within driving distance of a host city. No international flights needed.
The 2026 tournament is the biggest World Cup ever. You get 48 teams instead of 32 and 104 matches instead of 64. More teams means more soccer and more world-class players to watch.
The economic impact will reshape American soccer. Boston alone expects $500 million in revenue from 450,000 visitors. The 1994 World Cup led to Major League Soccer starting in 1996. The 2026 tournament should create millions of new fans and boost youth soccer nationwide.
Important Dates to Remember for U.S. Fans
- December 5, 2025: World Cup Draw in Washington D.C. (Live on FOX)
- June 12, 2026: USA opens tournament in Los Angeles
- June 19, 2026: USA plays second match in Seattle
- June 25, 2026: USA plays third match in Los Angeles
- July 19, 2026: World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium
2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States FAQs
Can I buy tickets at the stadium on match day?
All tickets must be purchased through FIFA’s official system before match day. Walk-up ticket sales at stadiums are not available.
What identification do I need to enter a match?
You need a valid government-issued photo ID that matches the name on your ticket. International visitors need their passport.
Can I resell my tickets if I can’t attend?
Yes. You must use FIFA’s official resale platform. Selling tickets outside this platform violates FIFA rules and the tickets may be canceled.
Is public transportation available to stadiums?
Yes. All host cities are planning enhanced public transportation. Many stadiums recommend using public transit due to limited parking.
What languages will announcements be in at stadiums?
Stadium announcements will be in English and Spanish at all USA venues.
Are there volunteer opportunities for the World Cup?
Yes. FIFA is recruiting around 65,000 volunteers across the three host countries. Applications opened in 2025 through the official FIFA website.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup brings history to America with 78 matches across 11 cities. Team USA plays at home with complete TV coverage on FOX and Telemundo.
Free fan festivals let everyone celebrate. Create your FIFA ID now and start planning your World Cup experience today.
