Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – From iconic soccer cathedrals to modern state-of-the-art stadiums more accustomed to hosting American football, the 2026 World Cup will be played at 16 venues across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Here AFP looks at the stadiums that will define the 2026 tournament:
**CANADA**
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*Toronto – BMO Field*
Capacity: 45,000
One of two Canadian venues, BMO Field is one of the few World Cup stadiums constructed as a soccer-specific stadium and opened in 2007 when it hosted games at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup. Today, the venue is home to Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC. It will host six matches in total—five in the group stage and one in the Round of 32—including Canada’s opening fixture on June 12 against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
*Vancouver – BC Place*
Capacity: 54,000
Opened in 1983, the waterfront stadium nestling in the heart of Vancouver is arguably one of the most picturesque venues of the World Cup. The long-term home of the Vancouver Whitecaps MLS team and the Canadian Football League’s gridiron team, the BC Lions, BC Place also featured prominently in the successful 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosting the final where the USA defeated Japan 5-2. It will host seven matches including two knockout round games.
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**MEXICO**
*Mexico City – Estadio Azteca*
Capacity: 83,000
One of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, the Azteca will become the first stadium to host World Cup games in three different tournaments at this year’s finals. Opened in 1966, the Azteca was the centerpiece of the 1970 World Cup, won by Pele and Brazil, and would go on to reprise that role at the 1986 finals, when a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina swept to their second title. It will host the opening match of the 2026 tournament on June 11 when Mexico take on South Africa, along with four other fixtures.
*Guadalajara – Estadio Akron*
Capacity: 48,000
With its distinct volcano-style design, the Estadio Akron is one of the most eye-catching venues of the World Cup. Since its inauguration in 2010, the stadium has hosted the 2010 Copa Libertadores final as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2011 Pan American Games. It will host four matches during the group stage, including Spain’s clash with Uruguay on June 26.
*Monterrey – Estadio BBVA*
Capacity: 53,500
Known locally as “El Gigante de Acero” (The Steel Giant), the futuristic Estadio BBVA is framed by a picturesque backdrop of mountain scenery that makes it one of the most visually stunning venues of the tournament. The venue, which opened in 2015, will host four matches during the tournament.
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**UNITED STATES**
*Atlanta – Mercedes-Benz Stadium*
Capacity: 75,000
The home to the Atlanta Falcons NFL team and Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 and is touted as the world’s “most sustainable stadium.” The venue, which hosted the 2019 Super Bowl as well as several matches in last year’s Club World Cup, features a retractable roof and a 360-degree video display inside the arena. It will host eight matches during the World Cup including one of the two semi-finals.
*Boston – Gillette Stadium*
Capacity: 65,000
The long-time home of the NFL’s New England Patriots, the venue in Foxborough has undergone a major facelift ahead of the 2026 World Cup, where it will host seven matches including a quarter-final. Upgrades include the installation of a high-definition video screen described as the biggest of its kind in the United States. Two of Scotland’s group games will take place at the venue, while England will face Ghana here on June 23.
*Dallas – AT&T Stadium*
Capacity: 94,000
A fully air-conditioned behemoth standing in Arlington, Texas, the AT&T Stadium is the long-time home of the Dallas Cowboys NFL team but has been used for a variety of sports and cultural events over the years, including a Super Bowl, several world boxing title fights, and major soccer matches. The venue, which opened in 2009, will host nine matches during the World Cup, including a semi-final.
*Houston – NRG Stadium*
Capacity: 72,000
The home of the Houston Texans NFL team, the NRG Stadium is notable for its retractable roof and its steep spectator stands. It has regularly hosted major football fixtures since its opening in 2002, including three games at the 2016 Copa America Centenario.
*Kansas City – Arrowhead Stadium*
Capacity: 73,000
A vast, open-air bowl-like stadium, Arrowhead Stadium is best known as the home of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. The venue holds the record as the loudest outdoor sports venue in the world, with crowd noise reaching a decibel level of 142.2 when the Chiefs faced the New England Patriots in 2014.
*Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium*
Capacity: 70,000
Located in Inglewood under the flight path of planes arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, the SoFi Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers NFL teams. Often described as the most expensive stadium in the world, SoFi, which opened in 2020, is believed to have cost around $6 billion to build. It will host eight matches in total, including the first game of the World Cup on US soil when the United States face Paraguay on June 12.
*Miami – Hard Rock Stadium*
Capacity: 65,000
The home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, the Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches at the World Cup. The venue has regularly hosted major soccer matches, including eight games at last year’s Club World Cup in addition to the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia.
*New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium*
Capacity: 82,500
The imposing arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey is home to the New York Giants and New York Jets NFL teams and will take a leading role at the World Cup, staging eight matches including one semi-final and the final on July 19. The MetLife has hosted several major soccer events over the years, including last year’s Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain and the 2016 Copa America Centenario final between Argentina and Chile.
*Philadelphia – Lincoln Financial Field*
Capacity: 69,000
The home of the Philadelphia Eagles NFL team, Lincoln Financial Field will host six matches including a fixture on July 4 when the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of American independence. While an NFL venue, Lincoln Financial Field has a tighter, more compact design compared to newer stadiums, which creates a noisier atmosphere. The first-ever event at the stadium was a 2003 friendly between Manchester United and Barcelona.
*San Francisco/Santa Clara – Levi’s Stadium*
Capacity: 71,000
Since its opening in 2014, Levi’s Stadium has hosted two Super Bowls and multiple football events including games in the 2016 Copa America Centenario as well as Major League Soccer fixtures featuring the nearby San Jose Earthquakes. The stadium is home to the San Francisco 49ers NFL franchise.
*Seattle – Lumen Field*
Capacity: 69,000
The home of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders and the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, Lumen Field is embedded in the sporting landscape of the Pacific Northwest. The Sounders regularly sell out the venue, with some 69,274 fans packing the arena in 2019 for their MLS Cup win. A similar crowd watched Seattle win the 2022 CONCACAF Champions Cup at the venue. Lumen Field will host four group matches, including the United States fixture with Australia, and two knockout round matches.
© 2024 AFP
