FIFA has announced that New York’s Metlife Stadium is set to host the 2026 World Cup final which will take place in three host countries.
Key fixtures for the 2026 Football World Cup have been announced with New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium named as the venue that will host the final of the showpiece event.
The expanded 48-team tournament is set to be played over 39 days and over three countries, with Mexico and Canada also hosting alongside the USA.
The MetLife stadium has a capacity of 82500 and is currently the home to both the New York Giants and the New York Jets. It was also used as a venue when the US last hosted the World Cup in 1994.
Mexico, who have also hosted the World Cup before, in 1970 and 1986 will host the tournament opener, which will be played at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
The Azteca was the venue where Maradona’s famous Hand of God goal was scored.
Canada, who have never before hosted a World Cup game will host their first game in Toronto on 12 June.
The host city announcement was made by a celebrity-studded entourage on Sunday night. Taking to the stage with FIFA president Gianni Infantino were comedian and actor Kevin Hart, rapper Drake, and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
They announced that a total of 16 cities have been chosen for the event, including Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico, and Vancouver in Canada.
The play-off for third place will take place in Miami while the quarters will be in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami, and Boston, and the semi-finals in Dallas and Atlanta.
“The tournament’s innovative match schedule will serve to minimise travel for teams and fans alike, while the number of rest days between fixtures will be maximised,” the governing body said.
