By: Emma Ke
many viewers. We have found out which lucky cities have been chosen to host this prestigious event in 2026. FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, has decided that Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey will host some part of the tournament. Canada and Mexico will also host World Cup matches. In total, there will be 16 different sites (eleven in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada). Locations for specific matches, including the final, will be announced later.
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico were chosen as the winning bidders in 2018. The U.S. and Mexico have previously hosted the World Cup. The U.S. hosted it in 1994, and Mexico hosted the event in 1970 and 1986. There will be some changes in the 2026 tournament; for example, it will consist of 48 teams instead of the usual 32 teams. It will also be the first time that 3 separate nations will host this event.
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico formed a joint bid and named themselves the United Bid. They also created a motto for their group: “Unity. Certainty. Opportunity.” Their efforts put the spotlight on financial opportunities presented by hosting the games in North America. They also pointed out that it would be easy for them to host the tournament because of the large stadiums North American cities can provide. Such stadiums in the U.S. host NFL and MLS teams frequently, while Canadian stadiums host CFL and MLS teams, and Mexico’s arenas are commonly used by Liga MX (Mexico’s top soccer league).
These stadiums helped the United Bid get selected, along with their luxury suites and club space. It will most likely be designed to give international dignitaries, FIFA leaders, and a variety of different people an unforgettable experience.
There is one downside through all this excitement though: Many fans will find it challenging to follow the teams. This is because the tournament is usually hosted in a single country with strong rail connections that allow fans to move efficiently from city to city.
The format of the 2026 World Cup may trouble some fans, or get some of them even more excited. It will allow more teams to participate and allow fans to travel to multiple countries if they want. But some fans may want to see the whole tournament but be unable too, due to the amount of money and time it takes to travel.