The fifa football world cup 2026 will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches in 16 cities. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
This guide lists every host city and stadium, explains where the opening match and final will be played, and clears up city-name confusion that can affect travel plans. You’ll also find practical advice for choosing a match location, getting between venues, and checking entry requirements. Because the host countries cover a vast area, the right city matters as much as the match you want to see.
Where is the fifa football world cup 2026 being played?
The tournament is being played across three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Matches will take place in 16 host cities: 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The opening match is scheduled for June 11, 2026, at Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City. The final is scheduled for July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The full tournament includes 48 teams and 104 matches.
These host locations are spread across North America rather than clustered in one region. A match in Vancouver and another in Mexico City, for example, require a significant journey between countries. Plan around the specific stadium and match date, not just the country name.
All 16 host cities and their stadiums
The table lists the official tournament venue names alongside the familiar stadium names and the municipality where each venue is located. FIFA often uses tournament-specific stadium names, while maps and local transport services may show a commercial or venue name.
| Country | Host city or area | Tournament stadium name | Venue location and familiar name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Toronto | Toronto Stadium | Toronto; BMO Field |
| Canada | Vancouver | Vancouver Stadium | Vancouver; BC Place |
| Mexico | Guadalajara | Guadalajara Stadium | Zapopan; Estadio Akron |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Mexico City Stadium | Mexico City; Estadio Azteca |
| Mexico | Monterrey | Monterrey Stadium | Guadalupe; Estadio BBVA |
| United States | Atlanta | Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta; Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| United States | Boston | Boston Stadium | Foxborough; Gillette Stadium |
| United States | Dallas | Dallas Stadium | Arlington; AT&T Stadium |
| United States | Houston | Houston Stadium | Houston; NRG Stadium |
| United States | Kansas City | Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City, Missouri; GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium |
| United States | Los Angeles | Los Angeles Stadium | Inglewood; SoFi Stadium |
| United States | Miami | Miami Stadium | Miami Gardens; Hard Rock Stadium |
| United States | New York/New Jersey | New York New Jersey Stadium | East Rutherford, New Jersey; MetLife Stadium |
| United States | Philadelphia | Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia; Lincoln Financial Field |
| United States | San Francisco Bay Area | San Francisco Bay Area Stadium | Santa Clara; Levi’s Stadium |
| United States | Seattle | Seattle Stadium | Seattle; Lumen Field |
Important: a host-city label does not always mean the stadium sits within that city’s boundaries. Boston’s venue is in Foxborough, and the New York/New Jersey venue is in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Check the venue’s actual address before booking a hotel or planning ground transport.
Which cities host the opening match and final?
Opening match: Mexico City
The opening match is scheduled at Mexico City Stadium, the tournament name for Estadio Azteca. The stadium is in the south of Mexico City. It has a long history of hosting major football events, making it a prominent starting point for the tournament.
If you’re going to the opening match, look up transport to the stadium from your specific accommodation rather than relying on a broad search for “Mexico City.” The city is large, and traffic conditions can make travel time vary. Allow extra time on match day and confirm event-day transit arrangements closer to your trip.
Final: New York/New Jersey
The final is scheduled for New York New Jersey Stadium, the tournament name for MetLife Stadium. The venue is in East Rutherford, New Jersey, not in New York City. The host-area name describes the wider region, so don’t assume the stadium is within the city limits or a short walk from a Manhattan hotel.
Before you reserve a room, compare the stadium’s location with the hotel’s address and the transport options available for the final. A booking that looks close on a map may still involve a long journey, particularly during a major event.
How the host cities are divided by country
United States: 11 host cities
The United States has the largest share of venues. Its 11 host locations are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.
These cities span several regions and time zones. A match in Seattle and one in Miami are not neighboring events, even though both are in the same country. For a trip with multiple matches, grouping nearby dates and cities can reduce travel time and make your plans less complicated.
Mexico: three host cities
Mexico’s venues are in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. The stadiums are Estadio Akron in the Guadalajara metropolitan area, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and Estadio BBVA in the Monterrey area.
As in the United States, the stadium and the host-city label may refer to different municipalities. Guadalajara Stadium is in Zapopan, while Monterrey Stadium is in Guadalupe. Check the precise venue location when comparing accommodation and transport.
Canada: two host cities
Canada’s matches are in Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto Stadium is BMO Field, and Vancouver Stadium is BC Place. Each venue is in its host city, but accommodation and match-day travel still depend on the exact neighborhood where you stay.
How to choose a host city for a match trip
Start with the match schedule and the stadium, then build the rest of your trip around them. A city may host several matches, but the teams and dates you care about determine whether it fits your plans.
- Pick the match or matches first. Confirm the date, city, and venue for each game you want to attend. Don’t book nonrefundable travel based only on an assumed team location or a general host-city list.
- Check the actual stadium address. Search using both the tournament venue name and the familiar stadium name. This helps distinguish the host city from a nearby municipality, such as Foxborough for Boston’s venue.
- Compare the full journey. Look at airport connections, local transport, travel time to the stadium, and the distance between any two matches. A short flight can still involve airport transfers and long waits.
- Choose accommodation with match-day travel in mind. Consider how you’ll reach the venue and return after the game. Confirm whether the route relies on event transport, public transit, a shuttle, or a car.
- Check entry documents for every country on your route. A tournament ticket does not itself grant permission to enter a country. Requirements depend on your nationality and travel circumstances.
If you’re choosing between destinations, use this quick comparison as a starting point. It describes the practical shape of a trip, not a ranking of the cities.
| Trip option | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| One city, one match | Fewer transfers and a simpler accommodation plan. | Travelers focused on a particular game or match day. |
| Several matches in one region | Multiple games may be possible, but each venue and date still needs checking. | Fans who want more than one game without crossing the continent. |
| Matches in different countries | International flights, border requirements, and extra planning between games. | Travelers who have enough time to manage a multi-country itinerary. |
How far apart are the venues?
The venues are distributed across a broad area of North America. Some are near other major cities, but the overall tournament is not designed as a single compact travel circuit. Moving between far-apart host locations can take much of a day once airport travel and transfers are included.
For a practical itinerary, treat each city as a separate travel stop. Check flight schedules and ground transport for the exact dates you plan to travel. If you have consecutive match tickets in different cities, leave a reasonable buffer rather than assuming you can make a tight connection after a game.
Also account for time zones. A departure or kick-off time shown in one city may differ from the local time where you’re staying or flying next. Keep the venue’s local date and time visible in your itinerary, and reconfirm them through official match information before setting out.
What to know about stadium names and locations
One easy-to-miss detail is that tournament stadium names can differ from the names shown on signs, maps, and older travel information. FIFA’s venue naming convention may use a straightforward city-and-stadium label. Local sources may instead show the stadium’s familiar or commercial name.
Use both names when searching, then confirm that the address matches the venue on your ticket. This is especially useful in areas where the stadium is outside the named host city. It can prevent booking accommodation near the wrong downtown area or arranging transport to the wrong municipality.
Host-city labels can also describe a wider metropolitan region. “San Francisco Bay Area,” for instance, points to a regional destination, while the stadium is in Santa Clara. Likewise, “New York/New Jersey” identifies a shared host area, while the venue is across the state line in East Rutherford.
Tickets, travel documents, and match-day planning
Tickets, flights, accommodation, and border entry are separate parts of your trip. Having a match ticket does not automatically provide an airline reservation, a hotel room, or authorization to enter the United States, Canada, or Mexico. Check official government guidance for each country you plan to visit and allow time for any required application process.
Use official ticketing channels to verify sales information and ticket terms. Be cautious about resale offers that promise guaranteed entry or use unclear delivery arrangements. Confirm that any ticket you buy is valid for the specific match, date, and stadium you intend to attend.
For match day, keep the venue address, ticket details, and transport plan accessible. Check stadium guidance for entry rules and permitted items before leaving your accommodation. Build in time for traffic, transit queues, and security procedures, and arrange a return plan before the match ends.
Travelers attending games in more than one country should check that their itinerary meets the entry rules for every border crossing. The requirements may differ depending on your citizenship, travel documents, and route. Review current official information rather than relying on a ticket seller or a general travel discussion.
Common mistakes to avoid when planning
- Assuming the host city is the stadium address. Some venues are in neighboring municipalities. Confirm the street address before choosing a hotel or booking transport.
- Booking a cross-country itinerary with little time between matches. Delays, airport transfers, and local traffic can disrupt a tight schedule. Leave enough time to reach the next city and venue.
- Treating the three countries as one travel zone. International borders still apply. Check entry requirements and carry the necessary travel documents for each country.
- Relying on an old stadium name alone. Search the tournament name and the local name together, then compare the address with your ticket.
- Assuming a ticket answers every travel question. It confirms admission only under its terms; it does not replace travel documents, transport, or accommodation.
A simple planning habit can prevent several of these problems: save the match date, local kick-off time, stadium name, full address, and return route together in one itinerary. That gives you one reliable reference when schedules, transport details, or venue information need a final check.
The fifa football world cup 2026 will take place across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, from June 11 to July 19. The opening match is scheduled for Mexico City, and the final for East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Before booking, match your ticket to the stadium’s actual address and plan travel around the specific date. Check official entry guidance for every country on your route, then save your transport and match details together.