“The World Cup is Coming to the U.S. in 2026
Jaime Halstuch
Staff Writer
140 games, 48 teams, 12 groups, 3 countries, and 16 stadiums are the key numbers to understand in this upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico, Canada, and the United States will be the three cohosts of this amazing and unique event. Mexico already organized two FIFA Men’s World Cups, the US organized one FMWC, and Canada will be organizing its first one. This is an event like nothing else in the world, the final alone in 2022 got 1.5 billion viewers and FIFA is expecting more than 6 million attendees for the 2026 tournament.
Canada has two host stadiums, Toronto with the BMO Field and Vancouver with the BC Place. Toronto will host five group stage matches and one match in the round of 32 while Vancouver will also host five group stage matches, 1 in the round of 32, and one round of 16 game. Toronto will host Canada’s debut in the tournament and play the other two group-stage games in Vancouver. The tournament is estimated to cost $300 million to the city of Toronto, but the city is expecting the tournament to bring job opportunities, tourism, and a growth in interest for the sport in the younger generation. Vancouver on the other hand does have revenue estimates, expecting a whooping $1 billion for the tourism industry and an increment of 900,000 visitors.
Mexico is an expert in terms of hosting World Cups, the 1970 and 1986 tournaments were held there. Mexico will host in three stadiums: The Estadio Akron in the outskirts of Guadalajara, the Estadio BBVA in the outskirts of Monterrey, and the historic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Guadalajara will host 4 group-stage games, while Monterrey will host 3 group-stage games and one in the round of 32. The Estadio Azteca is soccer-wise the most important stadium of the tournament, it is the stadium that hosted what is known as the game of the century Italy v Germany in the 1970 FMWC semifinal and what many consider the best national team of all time 1970 Brazil, it also hosted the famous game of the “hand of G-D” and the “best goal in history” both by Diego Maradona in the 1986 FMWC, it is also the host of one of the most well-known and respected teams in the continent, Club America. But most importantly, is the Stadium where both Maradona and Pele were crowned world Champions. The Estadio Azteca is a mandatory visit for any soccer fan. This stadium will host three group stage games (including the first game of the tournament) and one game in both the round of 32 and the round of 16. Mexico has one big advantage its 7,349 ft altitude, having 25% less oxygen in the air than at sea level.
The US will be the big star of the tournament with 11 out of the 16 host cities. Places including California, Atlanta, Texas, Boston, Philadelphia, and Miami in all of their biggest stadiums. But with all of these people and attractions, the US is going to have some problems. The country will face 4 main challenges: Public safety, mass public transportation, and immigration (visas for tourists and workers), and changing some fields from turf to grass. The US also brings a lot to the tournament very few times seen before, amazing athletic facilities, stadiums that are already built and only need very minimal changes and great infrastructure to receive tourists.
The New York – New Jersey area will have the honor of coronating the next world champion. In addition to the final MetLife will also host five group stage games, one in the round of 32, and one in the round of 16. New York brings a lot to this tournament; the world’s capital will have the world’s eyes on it. Let’s just imagine and fantasize for a moment of a fan fest in Times Square, it would be a dream coming to life for any soccer fan in the world. We could be ad Portas of the most epic event in the history of the world. People from all around the world in the world’s capital with no other objective but to root for their country, expressing their national pride. New York City is going to be an absolute party. For New Jersey, you can expect a lot of economic activity in Atlantic City, and a lot of tourists staying in North Jersey trying to fly away from the expensive hotels and Airbnb in the city. Teams will most likely stay in Jersey trying to get away from all the traffic and distractions a city like New York can bring. Also taking advantage of the Giants, Jets, and Red Bull’s incredible athletic facilities. You will have the opportunity to see a completely different way of experiencing sports, the tailgates will be loud, with fans cheering for their team while walking to the stadium and on the train. Governor Murphy estimates $2 Billion in revenues for the NJ/NY area and 14,000 jobs. New York and New Jersey will spend approximately $81 million on stadium and surrounding area upgrades and a new transit line between Secaucus and the Meadowlands. MetLife will have one big change for the tournament, the field will have to be changed to natural grass, giving an end to the brutal nightmare the NFLPA and NFL fans had with this stadium.
Contact Jaime at jaime.halstuch@student.shu.edu