What host cities will get FIFA World Cup 2026 matches? Ranking the venue selection for USA, Canada, Mexico tournament

With the announcement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup venues set for Thursday, June 16, there's plenty of speculation as to who will host matches in the crowning event of global football.

FIFA announced in 2018 that the joint bid of the United States, Mexico and Canada would host the 2026 World Cup, and since then cities and venues have submitted their final proposals for hosting matches during the big event. While FIFA is not expected to announce what cities will host which stage of competition just yet, the list of stadiums and cities will be cut to a final list of about 16.

Currently, there are 23 venues on the list for FIFA to choose from. The list was originally longer, but some cities, such as Montreal and Chicago, withdrew from contention due to bid difficulties or issues with FIFA negotiations.

The Sporting News brings you a snapshot of each venue and where it is believed to rank in likelihood of making the final cut.

MORE: How to watch 2026 World Cup host city announcement

What host cities will be selected for 2026 World Cup?

Below is a list of all candidate cities and venues to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. They are ranked in order of likelihood of being selected, with a final prediction at the bottom.

2026 World Cup venues — Locks

Los Angeles (Rose Bowl & SoFi Stadium)

The Los Angeles bid is the only one to feature two stadiums. While the initial United Bid packet only included the Rose Bowl, the bid now officially includes the brand new SoFi Stadium. It's unclear how selection here would work, with FIFA potentially picking LA as one selection or counting this as two separate destinations. While this remains to be seen upon the official announcement, the current assumption is that Los Angeles would count as one host city and could allocate its matches between the two venues.

• Rose Bowl Location: Pasadena, California
• Opened: 1922
• Capacity: 88,565 (record attendance 106,869)
• Regular tenant: UCLA Bruins

One of the world's most famous stadiums, the Rose Bowl has been here before. The site of the largest soccer attendance for any U.S. national team match on home soil in history, the Rose Bowl saw over 94,000 pack in for the U.S. to face Romania in the 1994 World Cup. It also hosted the 1994 World Cup final and 1999 Women's World Cup final. There's no chance FIFA doesn't go back to the well here.

• SoFi Stadium Location: Inglewood, California
• Opened: 2020
• Capacity: 70,240
• Regular tenant: Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers

SoFi Stadium is one of the modern stadium marvels. A stunning multi-billion dollar structure, the sparkling new venue meant to house the pair of NFL franchises in Los Angeles is fit for a king. The centerpiece of the city's successful 2028 Olympics bid, it is the perfect foil to the historic but boring concrete mecca that is the Rose Bowl.

New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)

• Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey
• Opened: 2010
• Capacity: 82,500
• Regular tenant: New York Giants, New York Jets

Built in 2010, MetLife Stadium is hardly a stunning sight to behold, nor does it provide a high-quality fan experience, looking more like a metal cage than anything else. But FIFA can't turn New York down, and while MetLife isn't exactly in the heart of the city, it's close enough. Some reports, including by independent journalist Grant Wahl, say that MetLife is expected to be the host for the 2026 World Cup final, although that won't be revealed until sometime in 2023.

Dallas (AT&T Stadium)

• Location: Arlington, Texas
• Opened: 2009
• Capacity: 80,000 (expandable to 105,000)
• Regular tenant: Dallas Cowboys

One of the most impressive and visually stunning stadiums in the United States, not to mention one of the largest, this venue's inclusion is a must-have for FIFA. The retractable roof helps stave off the Texas heat, and the U.S. has history in the stadium as well. Dallas is a great market, and this stadium has hosted countless major events across all sports.

Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)

• Location: Mexico City, Mexico
• Opened: 1966
• Capacity: 87,523
• Regular tenant: Club America, Cruz Azul

One of the most famous football venues in North America and even the world, Estadio Azteca has hosted countless major events in the past. A veteran of the World Cup thanks to Mexico's hosting of the event in 1986, Estadio Azteca has seen the likes of Diego Maradona, Pele, and countless other famous players compete on its pitch, and along with the Maracana in Rio is one of only two venues to host multiple World Cup finals. There's no way Azteca is passed up.

Almost guaranteed

Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• Opened: 2017
• Capacity: 71,000
• Regular tenant: Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United

Of all the new stadiums in the United States over the last 20 years, this one might be the best of the bunch. An utterly gorgeous engineering marvel, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is a fabulous place to watch a match, and could host some of the most important matches in the event. It would be shocking to see Atlanta passed up.

San Francisco (Levi's Stadium)

• Location: Santa Clara, California
• Opened: 2014
• Capacity: 68,500
• Regular tenant: San Francisco 49ers

While Los Angeles is a total lock, San Francisco is close behind. Levi's Stadium is a beautiful new venue in a huge, must-have market for FIFA. It's also an eco-friendly stadium, which will appeal to FIFA from a marketing standpoint. The 2017 Gold Cup final was played here, so there's soccer history at Levi's as well.

Houston (NRG Stadium)

• Location: Houston, Texas
• Opened: 2002
• Capacity: 72,200
• Regular tenant: Houston Texans

While not the newest stadium across the board, NRG Stadium is a popular site for both club and international matches in the United States over recent years, with both the U.S. and Mexico men's sides playing games there. This is a battle-tested venue with a big market, and will most definitely be included.

Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)

• Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
• Opened: 1987
• Capacity: 64,767 (record attendance 80,120)
• Regular tenant: Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes

While Orlando is probably a better pure Florida soccer market and touts a better stadium, FIFA just can't resist the allure of Miami. Hard Rock Stadium isn't the glitziest of venues for this World Cup, but the market sure is, and a $500 million renovation in 2016 helps add to the allure.

Monterrey (Estadio BBVA)

• Location: Guadalupe, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
• Opened: 2015
• Capacity: 51,000
• Regular tenant: Monterrey

Nicknamed "The Steel Giant" for its massive silver roof, this is the newest of the three Mexican venues, and one of the newest of the entire World Cup bid. The Mexican trio of venues is already known, so there's no stopping this bid unless FIFA does something funky with the layout of the World Cup format.

Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)

• Location: Zapopan, Guadalajara, Jalisco
• Opened: 2010
• Capacity: 48,071
• Regular tenant: CD Guadalajara

Another Mexican stadium on the newer side, Estadio Akron is no stranger to controversy, with issues regarding both its construction and playing surface causing turmoil in the past. Now, however, the stadium is considered one of the best in the country, hosting one of the most successful teams in Liga MX. Like Estadio BBVA, Mexico's three venues are already considered locked in.

Toronto (BMO Field)

• Location: Toronto, Ontario
• Opened: 2007
• Capacity: 30,000
• Regular tenant: Toronto FC

FIFA mandates that all World Cup venues seat at least 40,000 fans, which means that BMO Field would need expanding to fit the requirements. Plans for expansion therefore have been submitted as part of the official bid. Still, with the other two Canadian bids on the western side of the nation, it makes sense to have Toronto included in the mix. The market makes up for the smaller venue.

Vancouver (BC Place)

• Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
• Opened: 1983
• Capacity: 54,500
• Regular tenant: Vancouver Whitecaps

Despite having withdrawn its bid earlier in the process, Vancouver was added back in after Montreal dropped out. BC Place is a common venue for the Canadian national team, and thus is a natural selection for FIFA. There was a leak on Wednesday evening reporting that Vancouver will be selected by FIFA as a World Cup venue.

Probably but not guaranteed

Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field)

• Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Opened: 2003
• Capacity: 69,796
• Regular tenant: Philadelphia Eagles, Temple Owls

While the Linc isn't considered one of the premier soccer destinations in the United States, nor is it one of the more notable venues in the nation, it still has a consistent presence in the national sports landscape and has delivered with the sport in the past. Recent reports indicate that FIFA is high on this bid thanks to its proximity to MetLife Stadium.

Seattle (Lumen Field)

• Location: Seattle, Washington
• Opened: 2002
• Capacity: 68,740
• Regular tenant: Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Sounders, OL Reign

The Pacific Northwest region is known across the nation for its cult soccer presence, and it's only fitting that Seattle is featured among the World Cup venues. The travel for any teams selected to participate in Seattle would be difficult, but such is the nature of a North American World Cup.

On the bubble

Boston (Gillette Stadium)

• Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
• Opened: 2002
• Capacity: 65,878
• Regular tenant: New England Patriots, New England Revolution

Gillette Stadium is one of the more storied venues in the United States, and it has been used for countless events across a host of different sports. Still, there are issues with this bid, such as its distance from downtown Boston and reported issues with city financial assistance, along with the notorious public transport system. A report from the Philadelphia Inquirer states that industry rumors believe Boston officials may already know they have missed out.

Baltimore & Washington DC (M&T Bank Stadium)

• Location: Baltimore, Maryland
• Opened: 1998
• Capacity: 70,745
• Regular tenant: Baltimore Ravens

While the two separate bids of Washington DC and Baltimore were dead in the water on their own, the combined bid offers a chance to compete. FIFA would love to have a presence in the nation's capital, but FedEx Field is a dump and was hindering the bid's chance. With the combined bid, Baltimore would host games in the much nicer M&T Bank Stadium while D.C. hosts a fan fest. It still might not be enough, though, especially if Philadelphia, which is right up the road, is also selected.

Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)

• Location: Kansas City, Missouri
• Opened: 1972
• Capacity: 76,416
• Regular tenant: Kansas City Chiefs

This bid appears to be one teetering on the edge. Kansas City has hosted multiple U.S. international matches over the past few years, but it isn't exactly a showcase city in the United States. Furthermore, the geography of the other bids leave KC stuck in the middle of an East Coast-West Coast split. Kansas City has a tough road ahead, but there are reports that FIFA's opinion of Kansas City's bid is rising.

Likely out

Orlando (Camping World Stadium)

• Location: Orlando, Florida
• Opened: 1936
• Capacity: 60,219
• Regular tenant: None 

While Orlando has proven its worth as a soccer market over the years, especially in the smaller Exploria Stadium, which is home to the city's MLS and NWSL sides, it just doesn't stand a chance with Miami offering the glitz and glamour just down the road. It's a testament to the fans and city that it even made it this far in the bidding process, but there's just not enough meat on the bone for FIFA, which cares about more than just a great in-game atmosphere.

Denver (Empower Field at Mile High)

• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Opened: 2001
• Capacity: 76,125
• Regular tenants: Denver Broncos

While Mile High is a gorgeous venue and Denver offers a great mix of big market with excellent scenery, there's one thing holding this bid back: the altitude (5,280 feet/1,610 meters). It's unlikely FIFA wants to open the can of worms that the altitude presents from a sporting perspective with teams flying around the continent in short periods of time, especially with Azteca (7,200 feet/2,200 meters) all but assured a slot.

Nashville (Nissan Stadium)

• Location: Nashville, Tennessee
• Opened: 1999
• Capacity: 69,143
• Regular tenant: Tennessee Titans

Ultimately, while Nashville is a solid contender, it falls just short in various categories that other bids excel in. It's not a top U.S. media market, the stadium isn't considered a gem, and it has soccer history but nothing iconic. When you look across the other bids, there's just nowhere to put Nashville.

Cincinnati (Paul Brown Stadium)

• Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
• Opened: 2000
• Capacity: 65,515
• Regular tenant: Cincinnati Bengals

While Ohio is a regular host of U.S. national team games, there just wasn't enough allure for FIFA to select an Ohio stadium as one of the showcase cities. Cleveland was eliminated in a previous round, and while Cincinnati made the cut then, it just doesn't have enough to put forth to make the cut.

Edmonton (Commonwealth Stadium)

• Location: Edmonton, Alberta
• Opened: 1978
• Capacity: 56,302
• Regular tenant: Edmonton Elks

While Edmonton is a common destination for the Canadian national team, it falls significantly behind the other two Canadian bids and won't be given a second thought. FIFA will surely look to spread the two Canadian venues across the east and west, and Edmonton is stuck behind Vancouver for that West Coast slot. According to Grant Wahl, "no one wants to go to Edmonton," a sentiment which has been echoed by the Canadian media of late. Edmonton's exclusion would mean 11 U.S. venues instead of 10, which seems likely at this point.

Predicting which host cities will be selected for 2026 FIFA World Cup

IN:

The Sporting News predicts these 16 markets to be selected to host 2026 World Cup matches, though it remains to be seen how FIFA will handle Los Angeles' dual-venue bid. There are 11 host cities from the United States, three from Mexico, and two from Canada, making up the final list of 16. 

*BMO Field's current capacity is 30,000, which is below FIFA's World Cup regulation minimum. Part of BMO Field's bid submission is an expansion to a capacity of 45,500.

OUT:

The Sporting News predicts the following venues to be cut from the final list of 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities.