The 2026 FIFA World Cup in New York
The 2026 FIFA World Cup took place across the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The final, won by Spain, was held in New York at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Where was the 2026 FIFA World Cup held?
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup was jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The opening match took place on June 11, 2026 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with Mexico’s national team defeating South Africa 2-0. The World Cup final was held on July 19, 2026 in New York. Spain won the tournament, beating Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with Lionel Messi on the Argentine side.
- The stadium chosen for the final was MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League. Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it sits about 45 minutes from Manhattan by bus. MetLife Stadium has 82,500 seats, matching the capacity of the Stade de France.
- When the choice of final venue was announced, New York City Mayor Eric Adams expressed enthusiasm: “there is no better place to host the world’s greatest match than the world’s greatest stage,” he said in a statement posted on the official event website. The New York and New Jersey region expected economic benefits exceeding $2 billion.
- Interestingly, FIFA renamed MetLife Stadium as “New York – New Jersey Stadium” for the tournament. Why the name change? MetLife, the insurance company that currently sponsors the stadium, was not an official FIFA World Cup sponsor. The company’s name was therefore not used during the tournament.
How did the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfold?
- The 2026 FIFA World Cup marked the tournament’s expansion from 32 to 48 participating teams. This meant many more matches. The competition lasted 39 days and featured a total of 104 matches—40 more than the previous tournament in Qatar in 2022.
- MetLife Stadium in New York hosted 8 matches, including a Round of 16 match on June 30, 2026, a quarterfinal on July 5, 2026, and the final on July 19, 2026.
- Although the tournament was shared among the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the United States hosted the most matches. A total of 78 matches took place in the USA, 13 in Canada, and 13 in Mexico. Here is a summary table of the cities that hosted 2026 World Cup matches.
| USA | Canada | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Toronto | Mexico City |
| Philadelphia | Vancouver | Guadalajara |
| Boston | Monterrey | |
| Atlanta | ||
| Miami | ||
| Kansas City | ||
| Dallas | ||
| Houston | ||
| San Francisco | ||
| Los Angeles | ||
| Seattle |
Which matches took place in New York?
Here is the list of matches held in New York during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
| June 13, 2026 | Brazil vs. Morocco |
| June 16, 2026 | France vs. Senegal |
| June 22, 2026 | Norway vs. Senegal |
| June 25, 2026 | Ecuador vs. Germany |
| June 27, 2026 | Panama vs. England |
| June 30, 2026 | Round of 16 |
| July 5, 2026 | Quarterfinal |
| July 19, 2026 | Final |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the New York – New Jersey Stadium located?
The New York – New Jersey Stadium is actually MetLife Stadium. It is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, about 15 km (9.3 mi) west of Times Square. MetLife Stadium remains the home of the two New York-area National Football League teams. It’s essentially a New York enclave in New Jersey.
How do you get to MetLife Stadium from New York?
The best way to reach MetLife Stadium is by bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal, New York’s main bus station. Don’t worry—the route will be clearly marked for World Cup fans. Volunteers will also be on hand to help. Feel free to ask them for assistance.
Which teams qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The complete list of 48 teams participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup was finalized in November 2025. It included the three co-host nations—the USA, Canada, and Mexico—and Argentina as the defending champion. Other notable participants included France, Belgium, Switzerland, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, and Haiti. The 2026 World Cup was the first edition with 48 teams, up from the previous 32. American spectators were particularly numerous in the World Cup fan zones, reflecting strong enthusiasm for the event. Soccer in New York is a growing sport. See also our article explaining why soccer is becoming popular in the USA.