The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest in the tournament’s history — 48 teams, 104 matches, and 16 host venues spread across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The U.S. is the heart of the operation, hosting 78 of the 104 matches across 11 stadiums in three regional clusters: East, Central, and West.
Every U.S. host venue is a modern American football stadium that has been temporarily reconfigured for soccer — wider pitches, FIFA-approved natural grass surfaces (even at indoor venues), and dedicated broadcast and media infrastructure. The result is a tournament played in some of the largest, most technologically advanced stadiums anywhere on the planet.
Here’s a complete tour of the 11 American host venues, organized by region.
East Region
The East cluster runs from Boston down to Miami and concentrates many of the tournament’s marquee fixtures, including the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, NJ (New York / New Jersey)
The largest stadium in the NFL and the home of the New York Giants and Jets is also the host of the 2026 World Cup Final. With a capacity of around 82,500, MetLife is the centerpiece of the East cluster and will stage eight matches, including the championship game.
Gillette Stadium — Foxborough, MA (Boston)
Home of the New England Patriots and the New England Revolution, Gillette underwent a major 2023 renovation that introduced a lighthouse-inspired structure and the largest outdoor video board in U.S. professional sports. Seven matches are scheduled here.
Lincoln Financial Field — Philadelphia, PA
The Eagles’ home in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex is one of the most football-focused designs in the league. Six matches are scheduled at “The Linc,” which sits steps from Citizens Bank Park and the Wells Fargo Center.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium — Atlanta, GA
Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s iconic eight-panel retractable roof and “Halo” video board make it one of the most recognizable venues in world sport. It hosts eight matches including a quarterfinal, and benefits from Atlanta United FC’s deep MLS soccer culture.
Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, FL (Miami)
A six-Super-Bowl venue, Hard Rock Stadium also hosts the Miami Open, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and the 2024 Copa América Final. Seven World Cup matches are scheduled in Miami Gardens.
Central Region
The Central cluster covers Texas and the Midwest. Dallas hosts more matches than any other U.S. venue.
AT&T Stadium — Arlington, TX (Dallas)
The Dallas Cowboys’ retractable-roof palace will host nine matches, the most of any U.S. venue, including a semifinal. AT&T Stadium’s signature 160-foot center-hung video board and 80,000-seat capacity make it one of the tournament’s most spectacular stages.
NRG Stadium — Houston, TX
The first NFL stadium with a retractable roof opens up to host seven World Cup matches. NRG sits inside the larger NRG Park complex and brings climate-controlled comfort to a part of the country where June and July temperatures regularly exceed 95°F.
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, MO
The home of the Kansas City Chiefs holds the Guinness World Record for the loudest outdoor sports stadium (142.2 dB). Six matches are scheduled here, and Arrowhead’s symmetrical, all-football bowl is built to amplify exactly the kind of crowd noise the World Cup attracts.
West Region
The West cluster runs up the Pacific coast and hosts the U.S. opening match at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026.
SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, CA (Los Angeles)
The first indoor-outdoor NFL stadium and the planned host of the LA28 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. SoFi Stadium will stage eight World Cup matches, including the U.S. opener, and represents the West coast’s biggest football market.
Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
The first professional football stadium to achieve LEED Gold certification, Levi’s combines Silicon Valley’s tech focus with sustainable design. Six matches are scheduled in Santa Clara.
Lumen Field — Seattle, WA
Home of the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders FC, Lumen Field is one of the loudest venues in U.S. sports — a partial roof reflects sound back onto the field, generating record-breaking decibel levels. Six matches are scheduled in Seattle, where MLS soccer culture is among the deepest in the country.
At a Glance
| Stadium | Host City | Capacity (approx.) | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife Stadium | New York / New Jersey | 82,500 | 8 (incl. Final) |
| AT&T Stadium | Dallas | 80,000 | 9 |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | 70,000 | 8 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | 71,000 | 8 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | 72,220 | 7 |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami | 65,326 | 7 |
| Gillette Stadium | Boston | 64,628 | 7 |
| GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | 76,416 | 6 |
| Levi’s Stadium | San Francisco Bay Area | 68,500 | 6 |
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | 69,879 | 6 |
| Lumen Field | Seattle | 68,740 | 6 |
What This Means for Stadium Workers
The World Cup is the largest single event-staffing operation any of these venues will undertake in 2026. Each U.S. host stadium ramps up dramatically across:
- Guest services and ticketing — multilingual support, accreditation, and flow management for international crowds
- Food and beverage — extended menus, expanded concession capacity, and premium hospitality programs
- Security and credentialing — FIFA-mandated protocols layered on top of existing NFL and MLS event-day operations
- Cleaning, conversion, and turf maintenance — including grass overlays at venues that normally use artificial turf
- Broadcast and media support — for the largest international broadcast deployment most U.S. venues will ever host
Hospitality operators like Levy, Aramark, Oak View Group, and Legends Hospitality are already coordinating with the tournament’s local organizing committees in each host city.
If you’re interested in event-day work tied to the 2026 World Cup, the path is the same as for any other major fixture: get on the staffing roster of the host stadium and its hospitality operator now, well before the tournament kicks off in June 2026.
Browse all U.S. venues, including the full list of World Cup host stadiums, to see locations, fast facts, and operators on the interactive stadium map.