Photo by Wikimedia Commons 2.0
For any host nation of any major tournament, creating the infrastructure to facilitate a successful event is key.
A key element of Canada, Mexico and the United States combining to win the rights to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup was the incredible sporting venues that are already in place.
Top level sport is played in all three countries on a weekly basis and with supporting transport networks in place, all three countries looked to have a very settled bid in place to host one of the biggest events on the planet.
World Cup 2026 format changes have been a major talking point in the build up to the event and a total of 16 different stadiums are being used across the tournament, making it the largest surface area ever used by FIFA to host a major tournament.
While the 2026 FIFA World Cup could be quite disparate in terms of the different cities hosting matches and there are a few question marks about the carbon footprint of playing so many games in different places, World Cup hysteria is in full flow.
Matches will be shared across the 11 venues in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
Here is a look at all of the stadiums being used to host matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:
AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas – Capacity: 94,000
The biggest stadium in terms of capacity is the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, home to NFL giants the Dallas Cowboys and it should make for a remarkable backdrop for all its nine matches it is set to host.
Almost 100,000 people can be housed in one of the most iconic arenas in world sport, which opened in 2009 and is one of the few 2026 FIFA World Cup venues with a retractable roof.
One of the two semi-finals will be hosted in Dallas, according to the FIFA 2026 tournament overview and the eyes of the footballing world are sure to be on the AT&T Stadium for much of the World Cup.
Estadio Banorte, Mexico City – Capacity: 83,000
Originally known as the Azteca but having to now abide by FIFA’s sponsorship rules, the Estadio Banorte is arguably the most famous footballing stadium on the list.
The home of some incredible moments at the 1986 World Cup hosted in Mexico, Estadio Banorte will once again provide an incredible arena for the best teams on the planet to do battle, including the opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup between Mexico and South Africa.
MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey – Capacity: 82,500
The venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will have the eyes of the sporting world turned upon it on Sunday 19th July 2026.
Giants such as England, France and Brazil will all play matches at the MetLife Stadium, which holds its own as one of the most iconic venues on the planet.
Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia – Capacity: 75,000
One of the few purpose build football stadiums on the list, the Atlanta Stadium has become the iconic home of MLS side Atlanta United over the past few seasons.
With state of the art technology adorning the whole arena, it is certainly one of the most eye catching stadiums at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and it will host eight matches.
Kansas City Stadium, Kansas – Capacity: 73,000
Transforming the home of NFL giants the Kansas City Chiefs to a venue fit to host international football will be a monumental task but the Kansas City Stadium looks to be raring to go.
Over 70,000 fans will be in attendance for all six matches being held in Kansas, including a World Cup quarter final.
Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas – Capacity: 72,000
Another bumper stadium heralding in Texas is the home of the iconic Houston Texans and it too looks to be all set to host some of the biggest names in international football.
In total, seven matches will take place in Houston, with the retractable roof potentially coming into play, in one of the most instantly recognisable stadiums at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, San Francisco, California – Capacity: 71,000
Also known as the Levi’s Stadium, the biggest arena in California looks set to host some fantastic matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Another arena built for NFL games, with the San Franciso 49ers calling it their home, a total of six World Cup matches will be played in Santa Clara.
SOFI Stadium, Los Angeles, California – Capacity: 70,000
The home of top level sport in Los Angeles, the SOFI Stadium host both the LA Rams and the LA Chargers throughout the regular NFL season and it should provide the perfect backdrop for some bumper 2026 FIFA World Cup ties.
Eight games will be played in Los Angeles, including two round of 32 matches and one quarter final, with the stakes sure to be sky high in the Californian sun.
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia – Capacity: 69,000
Housing the Philadelphia Eagles on a weekly basis in the NFL, Lincoln Financial Field is well accustomed to the rigours of hosting incredible sporting events.
Six 2026 FIFA World Cup matches will be held across the tournament, including games featuring Germany and France, two of the teams with shorter 2026 World Cup odds.
Lumen Stadium, Seattle – Capacity: 69,000
Having hosted some incredible fixtures at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the Lumen Stadium in Seattle looks ready to provide the backdrop for more iconic moments in the international incarnation of the game.
There will be six matches played in Seattle across the tournament, including two from the knockout stages.
Boston Stadium, Boston, Massachusetts – Capacity: 65,000
Few sporting franchises in the world are as iconic as the New England Patriots and their home in Boston will be playing host to seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches.
With matches in the round of 32, round of 16 and a quarter final all being held in Boston, it promises to be a real celebration of international football on the East coast.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida – Capacity: 65,000
Having become the home of tennis and to an extend Formula 1 in Miami over the past decade, Miami Stadium is ramping things up even further at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Against the idyllic backdrop of Floridan sunshine, seven matches will be held in Miami, including the third/fourth playoff game.
BC Place, Vancouver, Canada – Capacity: 54,000
The first Canadian stadium on the list, BC Place in Vancouver will play host a total of seven 2026 FIFA World Cup fixtures.
As the home of the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS, BC Place is a football-first stadium and the atmosphere at the games should be electric.
Estadio BBVA, Monterrey, Mexico – Capacity: 53,500
CF Monterrey are one of the biggest club sides in North American football and their state of the art home will be used for four matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Built in 2015, Estadio BBVA was built with the football fan in mind, with fantastic vantage points from every seat in the ground.
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico – Capacity: 48,000
Similarly, Estadio Akron in Guadalajara is well versed in hosting sell out football matches on a weekly basis and it looks set to be one of the more iconic areas used at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Four group stage matches will be played in Guadalajara, including one involving hosts Mexico, where the atmosphere should reach fever pitch.
BMO Field, Toronto, Canada – Capacity: 45,000
MLS side Toronto FC have made BMO Field their home since 2007, and it has morphed into one of the best stadiums in the competition.
Six matches will be played in Toronto, including one in the round of 32 and fans will relish watching the action unfold at BMO Field.
