ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The FIFA organizing committee announced that the 2026 World Cup final match will be held at the MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey with a capacity of 82,500 spectators. The announcement was made on Monday, February 5 2024, early morning WIB.
In the fierce competition between New York and Dallas to host the top match on July 19, New York finally won the right.
This world football celebration will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, starting with the opening match at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026.
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, stated that the 2026 World Cup will be the most inclusive and impactful tournament, with 104 matches to be played in 16 extraordinary stadiums in Canada, Mexico and the US.
From the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City to the spectacular final in New York/New Jersey, the tournament is expected to not only set new records but also leave an undeniable legacy.
The semifinal locations will be held in Atlanta and Dallas, while the third-place match is planned for Miami. The quarterfinals will be held in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami and Boston.
A total of 16 cities in three countries will host, with the majority of matches taking place in the United States.
In the 1994 World Cup, the US also hosted, with the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, near Los Angeles.
The decision was announced on live North American television broadcast featuring Gianni Infantino alongside celebrities such as Kevin Hart, Drake and Kim Kardashian.
MetLife Stadium, across the Hudson River from New York in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has been home to the American football teams the New York Giants and the New York Jets.
New York has lobbied hard to host the final, taking advantage of easy transport connectivity for spectators.
On the other hand, Dallas hopes AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, will benefit by hosting nine games, the most of any city. Los Angeles, despite its bid to host the final, ran into obstacles with FIFA’s request to make changes to SoFi Stadium.
The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will be the first stadium to host three World Cup tournaments in three different editions, after 1970 and 1986. The 2026 World Cup will take place alongside celebrations of the 250th anniversary of US independence.
The round of 16 on July 4 will take place in Philadelphia, coinciding with US independence day when the declaration of independence was signed. The United States will begin the group phase at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, on June 12, and will also play in Seattle.
Toronto was chosen to host the first match for the Canadian national team, while Vancouver will host the other. With the expansion of the tournament from 32 teams to 48 teams, the 2026 World Cup will feature 104 matches in 16 locations, using a 12-group format with the top two teams and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout phase. (AT Network)
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