FIFA made the announcement Sunday on a TV show that also revealed MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., as the site of the final, and how many games will be in each of the 16 host cities.
Philadelphia will host six games in the 2026 men’s soccer World Cup, capped off by a round-of-16 game on July 4 — the United States’ 250th birthday.
World soccer’s governing body FIFA made the announcement Sunday on a TV show that also revealed the site of the final, and where the three host nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — will play their group-stage games.
Lincoln Financial Field’s slate will have five group stage games, starting on June 14, a Sunday. The rest are set for June 19, June 22, June 25, and June 27, the last day of the group stage.
“This is not just a tournament, but the largest sporting event ever, and an extraordinary opportunity to showcase our vibrant culture, our hospitality, our passion, and our grit on an international stage,” local organizing committee chair Dan Hilferty said in a statement.
“It’s exciting news for soccer fans and for Philadelphia that six matches will be played here,” Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said. “Our world-class hotels, restaurants, and every aspect of our hospitality and tourism sectors will be ready for our visitors.”
» READ MORE: Local World Cup organizers didn't know what games they'd get until Sunday's announcement
Philadelphia won’t host a game in the first round of 32 to be played at a World Cup, thanks to the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. Nor will it host a quarterfinal, which local organizers hoped to get.
The overall hope was for seven or eight games here, so there might be a little disappointment among officials at a news conference set for lunchtime Monday.
But the July 4 round-of-16 game will be a huge spectacle, especially if the United States team is in it. The American squad could have many players with local ties: candidates include Hershey’s Christian Pulisic, Medford’s Brenden and Paxten Aaronson, Downingtown’s Zack Steffen, Bear, Del.’s Mark McKenzie, and Union rising star Jack McGlynn.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., beat the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium to the grand prize of hosting the final, in a fierce competition. MetLife brought New York’s allure and closer proximity to Europe, while the Cowboys brought a bigger venue with a roof and air-conditioning.
“As an advocate for this region, and a lifelong soccer fan, I am thrilled that FIFA chose to place their trust in New York [and] New Jersey,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said in a statement. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our entire region.”
He added that hosting the final gives the nation’s largest media market “an unparalleled platform to brilliantly showcase what we stand for — diversity, equality, access, and inclusion.”
» READ MORE: The Linc might look different during the 2026 World Cup. Here are some examples of how.
Mayor Parker was also happy that North Jersey got the final, believing some visitors might get hotels here since they’ll be cheaper than New York.
“Our hospitality industry is ready, willing, and able to handle the overflow of soccer fans who’ll need places to stay,” she said.”
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones got a nice consolation prize, though: nine games total, the most of any of the 16 host cities.
2026 will be the fourth World Cup that the U.S. has hosted overall, and the first with a final outside the Los Angeles area. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., hosted the 1994 men’s and 1999 women’s World Cup finals, while the L.A. Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park hosted the 2003 women’s final.
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., will be the venue this time, but history will echo. It will host the Americans’ group stage opener and finale, just as the Rose Bowl did in ‘94. The U.S. team’s middle group game will be in soccer-mad Seattle on June 19.
It was long suspected that the Americans would start the tournament out west. Manager Gregg Berhalter confirmed that Sunday when he said the hosts were allowed some influence on where they’d play their group games.
“Trying to minimize travel, minimize time zones, because we know the wear and tear that can take on your body during a major tournament,” he said. “I think it gets tricky when you talk about four- or five-hour flights between games, different time zone shifts. … FIFA ultimately made the decision, but we’re really thankful that at least they asked for our input.”
» READ MORE: Brenden and Paxten Aaronson celebrated being on the USMNT together for the first time last November
The World Cup will open on June 11 at North America’s most famous soccer venue: the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, site of the 1970 and 1986 men’s World Cup finals. The first of those crowned Pelé as a three-time champion; the second was Diego Maradona’s triumph.
Guadalajara and Monterrey in Mexico will also host games in 2026. El Tri will play its first and third group-stage games in Mexico City, and the middle one in Guadalajara.
Canada’s journey at its first hosting of a men’s World Cup will start in Toronto, then move to Vancouver for its last two group games.
The U.S. will play all of its games in the United States, and the entire tournament from the quarterfinals on will be in this country. Mexico and Canada will presumably play some knockout games at home — Mexico City, Monterrey, Toronto, and Vancouver got games in the rounds of 32 and 16. But we’ll have to wait for the actual draw to be sure of that.
Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium): 8 games — 5 group, 1 round of 32, 1 round of 16, 1 semifinal
Boston (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough): 7 games — 5 group, 1 round of 32, 1 quarterfinal
Dallas (AT&T Stadium, Arlington): 9 games — 5 group, 2 round of 32, 1 round of 16, 1 semifinal
Houston (NRG Stadium): 7 games — 5 group, 1 round of 32, 1 round of 16
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium): 6 games — 4 group, 1 round of 32, 1 quarterfinal
Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium, Inglewood): 8 games — 5 group, 2 round of 32, 1 quarterfinal
Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field): 6 games — 5 group, 1 round of 16
Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens): 8 games — 4 group games, 1 round of 32, 1 quarterfinal, 3rd place game
New York (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.): 8 games — 5 group games, 1 round of 32, 1 round of 16, championship game
San Francisco Bay Area (Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara): 6 games — 5 group games, 1 round of 32
Seattle (Lumen Field): 6 games — 4 group, 1 round of 32, 1 round of 16
Guadalajara (Estadio Akron): 4 group games
Mexico City (Estadio Azteca): 5 games — 3 group, 1 round of 32, 1 round of 16
Monterrey (Estadio BBVA): 4 games — 3 group, 1 round of 32
Toronto (BMO Field): 6 games — 5 group, 1 round of 32
Vancouver (BC Place): 7 games — 5 group, 1 round of 32, 1 round of 16
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