2026 World Cup Locations: Games, Schedule for All 16 Cities
#2026 FIFA World Cup #host cities #MetLife Stadium #FOX Sports broadcast #48 teams #match schedule #North America
📌 Key Takeaways
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams playing 104 matches across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
- The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
- FOX Sports will broadcast all matches live on FOX/FS1 and stream them on FOX One and the FOX Sports App.
- Dallas hosts the most matches (9), while the match distribution varies by city, with some hosting knockout stage games.
📖 Full Retelling
🏷️ Themes
Sports Event, Broadcasting, Logistics
📚 Related People & Topics
North America
Continent
North America is a continent in the Northern and Western hemispheres. North America is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by the Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast by South America and the Caribbean Sea, and to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. The region includes Middle Ame...
MetLife Stadium
Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey
MetLife Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States, 5 mi (8 km) west of New York City. It opened in 2010, replacing Giants Stadium, and serves as the home for the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League...
Entity Intersection Graph
Connections for North America:
Mentioned Entities
Deep Analysis
Why It Matters
This expansion to 48 teams fundamentally changes the structure of global soccer's biggest event, offering more nations a chance to participate on the world stage. The tri-nation hosting arrangement is unprecedented, requiring massive logistical coordination across North America and promising significant economic boosts for the host cities. For viewers, the increased number of matches and extensive coverage by FOX Sports provide unprecedented access to the tournament. This event also marks a significant return of the World Cup to the North American continent for the first time since 1994.
Context & Background
- The World Cup has traditionally featured 32 teams since 1998, making the 2026 expansion the first major format increase in nearly three decades.
- This will be the first World Cup hosted by three different nations, following the 2002 tournament hosted jointly by Japan and South Korea.
- Mexico will become the first country in history to host the World Cup three times, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
- The United States last hosted the tournament in 1994, which still holds the record for the highest total attendance in World Cup history.
- MetLife Stadium, home to the NFL's Giants and Jets, was chosen as the venue for the final over other major contenders like AT&T Stadium in Dallas.
What Happens Next
Fans can expect the release of the detailed match schedule and specific ticketing information in the lead-up to the tournament. Host cities will continue infrastructure improvements to prepare for the influx of millions of fans. Qualification rounds for the 48 team spots will take place globally over the next two years to determine the final field.
Frequently Asked Questions
The final is scheduled for Saturday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The tournament will feature 48 teams, which is an increase from the traditional 32-team format used since 1998.
Dallas is set to host the most games with a total of nine matches, including key group stage and round of 32 fixtures.
All 104 matches will be aired live on FOX and FS1, with streaming available on the FOX One platform and the FOX Sports App.
Source Scoring
Detailed Metrics
Key Claims Verified
Confirmed by FIFA and the joint bid committee.
Approved by FIFA as part of the expansion plan.
Officially confirmed by FIFA as the host venue and time.
Matches per city are derived from the official FIFA schedule for the tournament.
Supporting Evidence
- Primary FIFA Official Website [Link]
- High Associated Press / Reuters
Caveats / Notes
- Schedules and specific match times can be subject to minor changes closer to the event.
- Match counts per city are finalized based on the specific round (Group Stage vs. Knockout).