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FIFA World Cup 26™

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• Date June 12 - July 10 , 2026
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FIFA revealed that Los Angeles will officially host eight matches for FIFA World Cup 26™, including the highly coveted U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) opening match on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium). The Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee has always been committed to hosting signature matches for FIFA World Cup 26™ and the USMNT opener will prove to be another transformative moment for soccer in the USA as the eyes of the world fall on Los Angeles. 

“The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the USA,” said  Gianni Infantino, President, FIFA . “From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York New Jersey players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament. I would like to thank our three host countries and 16 Host Cities for the unwavering commitment to staging a FIFA World Cup that will not only set new records but also leave an indelible legacy.”

FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the largest single-sport event in history and the first to feature three host countries, 16 host cities, 48 teams, and 104 matches across the tournament. Los Angeles will once again set the backdrop for the most meaningful FIFA World Cup™ moments with eight fixtures including the USMNT opening match, four additional Group Stage matches, two Round of 32 knockout matches, and one Quarterfinal match.

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FIFA World Cup 2022

The u.s. cities hosting the 2026 world cup are announced.

Laurel Wamsley

Fans of the MLS' Atlanta United wave banners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a venue selected for matches in the 2026 World Cup. Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images hide caption

Fans of the MLS' Atlanta United wave banners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a venue selected for matches in the 2026 World Cup.

Four summers from now, 48 countries will vie for the 2026 World Cup as the tournament is staged in cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA, soccer's international governing body, announced these will be the host cities for 2026:

• San Francisco
• Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium)
• Guadalajara, Mexico
• Kansas City
• Monterrey, Mexico
• Mexico City
• Philadelphia
• New York/New Jersey

Eleven sites are in the U.S., three are in Mexico, and two in Canada. Locations for particular matches, including the sites of the opening matches and final, will be announced later.

This will be the first time that the tournament will include 48 teams, instead of the current 32-team format. It will also be the first time the tournament is staged across three host nations.

U.S., Mexico And Canada Win Bid To Host 2026 World Cup

Cities that were not selected include Cincinnati; Denver; Edmonton, Canada; Nashville, Tenn.; Orlando, Fla.; and Baltimore.

The "main" opening match will likely take place in either Los Angeles or Mexico City – both cities that have previously hosted World Cup finals.

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The U.S., Canada and Mexico were selected as the winning bid in 2018, beating out Morocco. The U.S. previously hosted the World Cup in 1994; Mexico hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986.

The three countries' joint bid branded itself the United Bid, under the motto "Unity. Certainty. Opportunity." Their campaign highlighted the major financial opportunity posed by hosting the games in North America, as well as the ease and certainly of using large-capacity stadiums that are already in use.

The majority of the U.S. arenas in contention regularly host NFL teams, and some are home to MLS squads as well. The Canadian stadiums host the Canadian Football League and MLS, while the proposed arenas in Mexico are home to teams in Mexico's top soccer league, Liga MX.

Fans cheer on the U.S. during a World Cup watch party in 2014 at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas. The arena will host matches during the 2026 World Cup. Tony Gutierrez/AP hide caption

Fans cheer on the U.S. during a World Cup watch party in 2014 at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas. The arena will host matches during the 2026 World Cup.

The bid touted the stadiums' luxury suites and club space — promising that all are "ideally designed to host FIFA leaders and guests, international dignitaries, and the premium ticket buyer."

Staging the World Cup across three very large countries will pose significant travel challenges for teams and the fans who follow them, especially compared to tournaments hosted in a single country with strong rail connections that allow fans to zip from city to city.

The U.S. will face England in the World Cup's group stage

The United Bid took this into account by designing regional clusters for teams and groups.

In the course of the tournament's knockout stage, there will be a flow from West to East, and the bid proposed siting the final match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The bid also suggested hosting the two semifinals in Atlanta and Dallas.

But long before the world's soccer fans arrive in North America, there's the 2022 World Cup, taking place in host nation Qatar. The tournament begins Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 18.

• 2026 World Cup

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2026 FIFA World Cup

In 2026, the FIFA World Cup is coming to Atlanta, the Epicenter for Soccer in the United States. Atlanta was chosen to host 8 matches ; 5 group matches and 3 knockout round matches including a semifinal.

Text “FIFA26” to 90761 for more updates on the 26 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta.

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FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour Arrives in Los Angeles Ahead of 2026 Tournament

The trophy will go through three more cities in the u.s. and canada in the coming days, by sanjesh singh • published november 5, 2022 • updated on november 5, 2022 at 5:35 pm.

LOS ANGELES – The most prestigious and iconic trophy in sports made its way to Los Angeles on Saturday.

With the 2022 FIFA World Cup set to kick off in Qatar on Nov. 20, the World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca Cola is taking the hardware across the world – the same one awarded to the World Cup-winning nation – to allow fans to experience and see the gold up close and personal.

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Currently, the trophy is making its way through four cities in the United States and Canada, with Los Angeles getting first dibs at L.A. Live right next to Crypto.com Arena, home of the Los Angeles Lakers , Clippers and Kings .

In order to get access to the event, fans had to purchase a 20 oz. Coke bottle with the 2022 FIFA World Cup labeling, scan the code on the package and submit the code underneath the cap that revealed your ticket.

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Once inside, fans received a lanyard with seven events to partake in and stamp in order to receive a prize. The first had fans lined up to take a professional photo with the World Cup trophy sealed inside a glass case. The photo would then go straight to your phone with the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour logo on the bottom left and the hashtag #BelievingisMagic on the bottom right.

Never ever imagined I'd be this close to the FIFA World Cup trophy It was an absolute pleasure @CocaCola pic.twitter.com/b9yQnQM13Q — Sanjesh Singh (@TheSanjeshSingh) November 6, 2022

Prior to opening the trophy room for all fans, Brazilian icon Kaká helped unveil the trophy, with former USMNT midfielder Jermaine Jones also making an appearance as the event rolled on.

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From there, fans could line up at any of the remaining five events: an Angel’s photo wall embodying the NWSL team Angel City FC, a pop-up trivia booth, an ink studio to get some temporary tattoos, a sand bottle station and a drill station. The other event that didn’t have a waiting line involved posting your photo with the trophy on social media with the hashtag. 

The drill station was definitely intriguing. There were seven LAFC academy players leading three different dribbling and footwork drills such as cone dribbling, ladders and one-touch control, among others. After completing one or all three, there was an option to play a short 1-on-1 or 2-on-2 game against the academy players.

Next up in the U.S., the trophy will head to Dallas at the Lighthouse Airspace from Nov. 6-7. Then it will head to East Rutherford, N.J. at the American Dream on Nov. 8 before concluding its run in Toronto on Nov. 9.

FIFA’s goal is to take the trophy to each of its 211 member associations by 2030, with the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The trophy also visited all 32 nations in the 2022 World Cup for the first time ever. 

2026 World Cup final set for MetLife Stadium, USMNT kicks off play in L.A.

Herculez Gomez and Sebastián Salazar react to the major sites being announced for the 2026 World Cup. (1:28)

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The 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, world soccer governing body FIFA announced on Sunday.

The United States men's national team begins its 2026 World Cup journey in Los Angeles, playing its first group-stage game at SoFi Stadium on June 12. The Americans will play all of their group-stage matches on the West Coast, with the next two games in Seattle and back in Los Angeles.

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"It's going to be a special World Cup," Berhalter said after the announcement was made. "To have the final in New York, New Jersey is a dream come true for me. Being from that area, and I'm sure for most people from that area, it's an area with a rich tradition of soccer and producing players.

"To think about when I was little, going to watch the [New York] Cosmos and them selling out Giants Stadium, and now this stadium is going to host a World Cup final. It's really special."

The opening match of the tournament -- hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada -- will be held in Mexico City, with Mexico playing a yet-to-be determined opponent in its group and the remainder of its matches on home soil. This will mark the third time Mexico has hosted World Cup matches, after serving as the host country in 1970 and 1986.

Canada will host its first-ever men's World Cup match on June 12 when it starts group play in Toronto, followed by a pair of games in Vancouver.

The semifinals will be played on July 14 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the following day at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Quarterfinals will be at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on July 9, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, the following day, and at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 11. The third-place game will be at Hard Rock on July 18.

The U.S. team will train in suburban Atlanta ahead of the tournament.

When asked about his team starting in Los Angeles and playing its group games on the West Coast, Berhalter had a one-word answer: "Wow."

The U.S. coach then added: "When you think about L.A., an iconic soccer city that's already hosted three World Cup finals with the men's in 1994 and the women's in 1999 and again in 2003. Then you think about the rich tradition of southern California producing tons of players for our program.

"Then you think about the LA Galaxy, LAFC, SoFi Stadium, you've got a lot going on with L.A. and certainly an amazing venue, so we're excited about that. With Seattle, you have a rich fan culture and an incredible atmosphere in the stadium. I get goosebumps thinking about it already.

"It's not only about the cities hosting the World Cup, it's about all the communities across America really getting behind us and creating this wave of support that really pushes the team to try to go and reach new heights."

FIFA's aim in laying out the schedule was doing what it could to maximize player welfare and the fan experience. The tournament will be held in three countries and across four time zones, providing considerable challenges in making sure players are at their best and fans can follow their chosen teams.

For those reasons, FIFA consulted several stakeholders to make sure it planned for as many scenarios as possible.

These stakeholders within FIFA included experts in competition management, team services, ticketing and hospitality as well as medical. Stakeholders outside of FIFA included broadcasters, sponsors, national team coaches and technical directors along with their respective medical staffs. The technical staffs of the three host countries also had considerable input into their group-stage venues.

FIFA took note of the 2016 Copa America Centenario, which was also held in the United States. In that tournament, coast-to-coast flights between games weren't unusual, with nine of the 16 teams enduring at least one such trip. Paraguay endured two such trips in the group stage alone. Those lengthy trips ate into player recovery time and preparation and also made it more difficult for fans to follow their teams.

Given the travel distances and the varying climates, FIFA divided the venues into three regions: east, central and west, with teams operating out of a base camp in the same region as their games. This will give FIFA flexibility in terms of actual kickoff times to better cater to both local and worldwide audiences.

In addition, FIFA has ensured that teams will have three full days of rest between matches. Out of 104 total matches, the only exception to this guideline will be the third-place game at the end of the tournament.

FIFA did not announce kickoff times. The 1994 championship started at 12:30 p.m. PT (3:30 p.m. ET and 9:30 p.m. in Central Europe), but the start has been moved up in recent years as Asia's television market became more significant to FIFA. The 2022 final in Qatar started at 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. in Central Europe and 10 p.m. in Beijing).

Stadiums will be assigned to groups rather than individual fixtures in a bid to reduce travel requirements for competing teams.

The travel demands won't be equal across the 48 teams, however. They will be weighted in favor of teams that finish at the top of their group, with second-place finishers having less-forgiving travel requirements and third-place teams having the greatest travel demands.

FIFA will also be paying attention to weather conditions. It has looked at heat and humidity readings in each of the 16 venue cities, which will influence what time of day games will be held. Following the group-stage draw in December 2025, the final kickoff times will be announced.

The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time in history, after FIFA expanded the field from the 32 it had used since 1998. Only 24 teams competed in 1994, when the United States last hosted the men's World Cup.

In 1994, the United States played two of its group-stage matches at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, and the other at the Silverdome in Detroit. The Rose Bowl also hosted the final that year -- with Brazil topping Italy in a penalty shootout -- and again in 1999 for the Women's World Cup, when the United States beat China , also on penalties.

With three host nations from Concacaf, 45 other teams will advance to the World Cup through the six confederations' various qualification processes.

UEFA (Europe) has 16 slots; CAF (Africa) has nine; AFC (Asia) has eight; CONMEBOL (South America) has six; Concacaf (North and Central America, plus the Caribbean) has three; and Oceania has one. Two additional countries will earn their place through a six-team playoff involving the non-UEFA confederations, which will conclude Nov. 18, 2025.

FIFA selects MetLife Stadium to host 2026 World Cup final — as it happened

World Cup 2026 schedule and final announcement — key info

• New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to host the 2026 World Cup final
• Third place playoff to take place at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium
• Estadio Azteca to host first game of the 2026 World Cup
• Toronto’s BMO Field to host first game in Canada
• USMNT to begin 2026 campaign at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles

World Cup hosting map

(Drew Jordan & John Bradford)

In the graphic above, you can find the number of matches each city is hosting in 2026 as well as the locations of the World Cup's final eight matches.

Miami has a quarter-final in addition to the third-place playoff listed above.

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New York/New Jersey's politics may have been a factor

One topic that may have factored into FIFA's decision to award the final to MetLife Stadium over AT&T Stadium is the varying political climates in New Jersey, New York and Texas. In short, the two sides could not be more ideologically different or on opposite ends of the political spectrum.

In recent months, one of the biggest political tensions between New York and Texas has been the ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. There are also differences when it comes to gun reform, reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ rights. New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation.

Texas is the largest state to ban nearly all abortions after the 2022 overturn of Roe v. Wade. There’s also the question of LGBTQ+ rights, with the Human Rights Campaign saying Texas is responsible for more than 20 percent of the more than 500 anti-LGTBQ+ bills last year across the country.

These issues may seem far removed from soccer, but human rights issues were widely debated and reported on during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar and continue to be contentious topics as global investment in soccer continues to grow.

Who will pay to host the World Cup final at MetLife?

Hosting a World Cup is not cheap and tensions usually rise when it comes down to who will cover that bill. Organizers can tap into public funding, set up sponsorships, or rely on fundraising to get by. In the case of New Jersey and New York, this becomes even more complicated.

For MetLife Stadium, organizers can request funding distributed by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The money is allocated from $7.5million in funding appropriated from the state budget “for international events, improvements and sporting attractions,” according to a resolution approving the spending.

Another benefit for New Jersey could also be the ability to work closely with other host cities along the East Coast. Meg Kane, the host city executive for Philadelphia 2026, told The Athletic that Philadelphia, New Jersey/New York, Boston and even Toronto have aligned to explore options around transportation, security and even cost sharing.

MetLife Stadium's public transit

Getty Images

One of the biggest priorities for World Cup organizers was preparing for avoidable transportation woes. Shuffling millions of people in and out of a region is no easy feat and local authorities have already started planning for ways to be best prepared.

If the assumption is that most fans will stay in the city and travel to games, that means New York City needs to set up a system that allows them to travel seamlessly. At past men’s World Cups, ticketed fans were offered free public transport to games. It’s safe to assume FIFA expects the same in 2026.

NYC is accustomed to temporarily increasing transport options at MetLife Stadium for major events. relying on a special train service that connects Secaucus Junction with the Meadowlands Rail Station at the stadium. Though easy to use, the service hasn’t always been perfect.

Locals may remember some high-profile transit flops: during the 2014 Super Bowl, thousands were stranded for hours trying to get home. A similar mess happened in 2019 with WrestleMania. Though more recently, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour went off without a hitch for three shows over one holiday weekend.

Pros and cons of MetLife Stadium as final host

MetLife Stadium opened in 2009, has a capacity of 82,500 and is an open-air stadium. It usually has a turf pitch for NFL matches but will be converted to grass for World Cup games to meet FIFA’s standards.

If you ask The Athletic ’s NFL writers, MetLife doesn't offer a great stadium experience. It doesn't have as many bells and whistles as some of the league's other relatively new arenas, and offers less to do in the immediate surrounding area — unless you consider the American Dream mega-mall next door.

Located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, MetLife is just a short drive from New York City.

Supporters of the New York/New Jersey bid argued NYC was the obvious choice to host the final because of the city’s global heritage, with landmarks like Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty nearby. It offers fans a built-in tourist attraction and the final will take place just a few weeks after the country’s 250th celebration of July 4th. Furthermore, the city is arguably in the most important media market in the world.

2026 schedule by matchday

Here you can the matchday schedule for each of the 16 host cities, from the group stage all the way through to the final.

NJ governor on legacy of hosting World Cup final

Continuing with The Athletic 's discussion with NJ governor Phil Murphy, on what it was like dealing with rumors that Dallas would be awarded the final: "We kept our head down. We didn't get sucked into the rumor mill. Again, great relationship, partnership between New Jersey and New York City. We just sort of focused on our work, kept, as they say, our eyes on the prize, sort of shut the noise out, and it turned out that was probably a winning formula.

"I give Dallas a lot of credit. I mean, they've got a beautiful stadium. Great ownership. I happen to know the Jones family. They're fine people. They're gonna do a great job down there. But we're thrilled that we got the final in New York, New Jersey."

On what he's looking forward to most about hosting the final: "Yeah, I mean, just you're saying that gives me chills.

"It's not just the game. I know this is important for FIFA. I think it's the buildup to the game, and then the legacy that it will leave behind on the decades to come. To my way of thinking, that's the real prize here. The pitches that will get built. The passion for the game that will rise. The little kid, girl or boy, who might not have taken a second look at soccer or football, depending on where you're from, and they're now going to get entranced by the game, by the beautiful game.

"I think it's the broader picture. I mean, the game itself. I believe, if my math is right, we will host eight games, which is a big deal in and of itself, and we're honored by that. But, to me, it's the broader legacy element of this that's the most important part."

NJ governor 'elated' to host World Cup final

The Athletic spoke to New Jersey governor Phil Murphy after the state landed the right to host the 2026 World Cup final, starting with his initial reaction to the news: "Just elated. I knew we had a very good shot, but you just never know until the words come out of Gianni’s mouth. But we had about 500 people at a watch party at MetLife – and just elated beyond words.

"Eric Adams deserves a lot of credit here, the mayor of New York City. We have a great partnership. We're a soccer hotbed. We are as diverse as any region, not just in the country, but in the world. And that is just so consistent with FIFA’s values, and I can't say enough good things about FIFA and the relationship we have with them. And it's just a huge deal – not just for the game itself but leading up to it, and I think we'll build a legacy that will last for many decades to come.”

On whether he knew before the announcement that they would get the final: "We did not know, and the only inkling we got – we felt like we were in it. So, we knew we were competitive. The only, the real inkling came – because we thought Dallas was the main competitor, and they're gonna get a lot of games there and they'll do a great job.

"But they were the only host city to get three games in those knockout rounds, and that gave me the sense that, because that, they probably – and this was five minutes before Gianni said it, so it’s not like I had a lot of advanced notice. But I started a war game in my mind that that probably meant that they weren't going to get the final. And I felt at that point that it was more likely than not that it would be us."

World Cup final the latest of notable events at MetLife

The 2026 World Cup final will join a long list of showpiece events that have been hosted at MetLife Stadium:

• Super Bowl XLVIII in February 2014, won by the Seattle Seahawks over the Denver Broncos
• International friendly in June 2012 in which Argentina beat Brazil 4-3 and Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick
• Copa America Centenario final in June 2016 in which Chile defeated Argentina on penalties after a goalless draw, leading Messi to announce his retirement from the national team
• Concerts headlined by acts including U2, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Jay-Z, One Direction, Ed Sheeran and BTS

The stadium will also host three matches during this summer's Copa America.

Validation of Atlanta's emergence as a soccer hotbed

The Athletic spoke to Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman following the announcement that the city would host eight World Cup matches including a semifinal in 2026: "It's fantastic news. It's huge validation of everything that's happened in Atlanta. It's such a boost for the city.

"We wanted several matches. We obviously made no secret we wanted a semifinal match.

"It's going to also be a boost for what the whole soccer project is in Atlanta. I think it's just incredibly validating for all that energy and gives us a north star to point to.

"In January of 2017, we didn't have a professional soccer team that was playing in Atlanta, for men or women. We launch Atlanta United and in seven years time we have a world class stadium. We have a competitive MLS team. We have the headquarters and the training facility for the US National Team moving into the Atlanta metro area and we have not only eight World Cup matches, but we also have Copa America, we'll potentially have the Club World Cup and other tournaments that are coming.

"It's just a remarkable series of investments that now on the global stage are attracting the biggest and the best players and I think it's a validation for (Atlanta United owner) Arthur Blank's vision."

Prepare for ‘the round of 32’

The 2026 World Cup fixture schedule is unique in that it also features a ‘round of 32’.

That’s because the expanded tournament will feature 12 four-team groups, with winners and runners-up in each of the 12 four-team groups joined by the eight best third-placed teams in the new knockout round.

FIFA had initially planned for the tournament to include 16 three-team groups. But they were forced to ditch these plans after acknowledging the “risk of collusion” in that format.

Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Monterrey, Houston, Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Toronto, Boston and New Jersey will all host round of 32 fixtures.

How many matches is each city hosting in the World Cup?

• Dallas: 9, including a semifinal
• New York/New Jersey: 8, including the final
• Atlanta: 8, including a semifinal
• Los Angeles: 8, including a quarterfinal
• Miami: 7, including the third-place playoff and a quarterfinal
• Boston: 7, including a quarterfinal
• Vancouver: 7
• Kansas City: 6, including a quarterfinal
• Philadelphia: 6
• San Francisco: 6
• Mexico City: 5
• Guadalajara: 4
• Monterrey: 4

Berhalter on FIFA's decision

Discussing FIFA's decision to choose New York/New Jersey over Dallas, Berhalter added: "The one piece of input was travel, trying to minimize travel. It gets tricky when you talk about four-five hour flights and time zone shifts between games... FIFA ultimately made the decision.

"It was informal conversations with FIFA at various levels of their organization and then a formal conversation with their technical department about our needs."

Berhalter also said the USMNT would be utilising the national training center that will open in Atlanta before 2026.

Berhalter: New York/New Jersey final is a 'dream come true'

(Photo: Getty Images)

USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said after the announcement: "To have the final in New York/New Jersey is a dream come true for me being from that area.

"Another area with a rich tradition in soccer and producing players.

"To think about being a little kid and going to that stadium to watch the Cosmos and now a World Cup final there is special."

Canada 2026 World Cup schedule

• June 12 at BMO Field
• June 18 at BC Place
• June 24 at BC Place again

Mexico 2026 World Cup schedule

• June 11 at Estadio Azteca
• June 18 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara
• June 24 back at Estadio Azteca

USMNT 2026 World Cup schedule

Here are the dates and locations of the United States' three group-stage matches:

• June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles
• June 19 at Lumen Field in Seattle
• June 25 back at SoFi

The ‘New York New Jersey Stadium’

FIFA has just published the following “stadium details” on its website. They refer to the venue for the 2026 World Cup final as the “New York New Jersey Stadium” and not MetLife. That’s because sponsor names are prohibited by world football’s governing body.

Stadium details

• Name: New York New Jersey Stadium
• Location: East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
• Capacity: 82,500
• Opened: 2010

Happy 250th birthday

The 2026 World Cup will feature a round of 16 match in Philadelphia on July 4, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States' declaration of independence, which took place in the same city.

Could you imagine if that match pitted the USMNT against England?!

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FIFA World Cup™️ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola Kicks Off Global Journey in Dubai

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká send original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on global journey that will include all 32 qualifying countries for the first time

Original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy unveiled at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena before it embarks on its fifth journey, travelling to 51 countries and territories

DUBAI, May 12, 2022 – The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola kicked off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, where former FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká came together to send the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy on its journey around the world ahead of the tournament later this year.

“As football fans around the world gear up to support their teams, Coca‑Cola is thrilled to offer fans the opportunity to experience the trophy ahead of the tournament,” said Brad Ross, Vice President of Global Sports & Entertainment Marketing and Partnerships at The Coca‑Cola Company. “The real magic of the FIFA World Cup exists with fans believing in their teams and showcasing their passion for the game.”

Starting today, Coca‑Cola is inviting fans to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the most recognised symbol in football and experience the real magic of the world’s largest and most anticipated single-sport event – the FIFA World Cup™. 

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola will stop in 51 countries and territories, bringing Coca‑Cola and FIFA one step closer to the goal of visiting each of FIFA’s 211 member associations by 2030. For the first time ever, the tour will visit all 32 countries that qualified for the FIFA World Cup™, inspiring fans across the world through exclusive consumer experiences. 

“The FIFA World Cup Trophy is one of the greatest symbols in sport,” said Romy Gai, FIFA’s Chief Business Officer. “Bringing it on tour gives us a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on the fantastic communities around the world who love the beautiful game. The trophy tour – which will end back in Qatar, our amazing hosts – highlights our commitment to making football truly global as we realise the dreams of our fans and bring the joy and excitement of the FIFA World Cup to their doorsteps, together with our long-standing partner Coca‑Cola.”

FIFA World Cup™ winners Iker Casillas and Kaká shared their passion for the game at the first stop event in Dubai. 

Kaká said: “It is an incredible honour to be part of the first stop of the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola. My first FIFA World Cup as a player was when I was just 20 years old, and it is still fresh in my mind – for me, it was a dream come true.” 

Added Iker Casillas: “It was the highlight of my career when I lifted this very trophy as captain of Spain in 2010. And it is exciting that someone will have that feeling in Qatar later this year. It fills me with great pride to join all of you today, as we kick off the journey of the FIFA World Cup Trophy, bringing it to the fans across the globe.”

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola has a mission to support the development of sustainability efforts at each location visited by the tour. For the first time, consumer activations will be digitally led by Coca‑Cola, reducing waste at each stop on the tour and minimising the consumption of water, energy, materials and other resources. 

The Coca‑Cola Company has had a long-standing relationship with FIFA since 1976 and has been an official FIFA World Cup™ Sponsor since 1978.  Coca‑Cola has had stadium advertising at every FIFA World Cup™ since 1950 and is a long-time supporter of football at all levels.

About the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy is awarded to the winners of the FIFA World Cup™ while remaining in FIFA’s possession. Made of solid gold and weighing 6.142kg, the trophy depicts two human figures holding the globe aloft. Its current design dates back to 1974. As one of the most recognised sports symbols in the world and a priceless icon, the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup™ and heads of state. Because regulations state that the original trophy must remain in FIFA’s possession and cannot be won outright, the team winning the FIFA World Cup™ retains the authentic trophy temporarily and is then permanently awarded the tournament edition trophy, the FIFA World Cup™ Winner’s Trophy (which is gold-plated, rather than solid gold, and engraved with the year, host country and winners of the respective event).

The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca‑Cola is an extraordinary opportunity for people to take in a piece of football history and share their passion for the sport with each other. The emotions of seeing the original FIFA World Cup™ Trophy will stay in football fans’ memories forever.

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The Coca‑Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company with products sold in more than 200 countries and territories. Our company’s purpose is to refresh the world and make a difference. We sell multiple billion-dollar brands across several beverage categories worldwide. Our portfolio of sparkling soft drink brands includes Coca‑Cola, Sprite and Fanta. Our hydration, sports, coffee and tea brands include Dasani, SmartWater, vitaminwater, Topo Chico, BODYARMOR, Powerade, Costa, Georgia, Gold Peak, Honest and Ayataka. Our nutrition, juice, dairy and plant-based beverage brands include Minute Maid, Simply, innocent, Del Valle, fairlife and AdeS. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We seek to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable sourcing practices and carbon emissions reductions across our value chain. Together with our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at  www.coca-colacompany.com  and follow us on  Twitter ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  and  LinkedIn .

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USA, Mexico and Canada 2026 World Cup Packages

USA, Mexico and Canada: June 11 – July 19, 2026

Luxury Travel Packages to the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada

Our 2026 World Cup travel packages are customizable, allowing you to experience this renowned tournament exactly the way you want. Your bespoke World Cup itinerary will be designed with your choice of accommodations for your preferred dates and host city, along with a carefully selected list of additional possibilities. All our guests will receive the high-touch service Roadtrips has become known for, including the services of our friendly and knowledgeable host teams. Whether you want to follow your team through the group stage, create your own custom getaway, or be there for the culmination of it all at the championship final, we’ll take care of all the details so you can relax and immerse yourself in this incredible event.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

The venerable World Cup is a sporting event unlike any other. The size, the preparation, and the excitement are unparalleled; as a result, the demand always seems to exceed the supply. Millions of people around the world have dreams of experiencing this bucket list event but unfortunately, there will only be space for a limited few. Contact one of our World Cup Specialists to take the first step in securing your spot in sports history.

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When you travel with Roadtrips, you’ll be fully taken care of every step of the way by our friendly and experienced team.

Before you leave, your dedicated pre-travel specialist will be at your service to assist with all the small details that will make your trip perfect. Take advantage of their experience and expertise to help with recommendations for restaurants, transportation, tours and more. It’s the goal of our pre-travel specialist team to ensure you have everything you need and that you’re fully prepared before you depart on your World Cup experience.

During your World Cup getaway, you’ll have access to our experienced host team, made up of experienced event specialists and multilingual local experts. They’ll do everything they can to take the stress out of your holiday and make your experience as seamless as possible. You can rest assured that our host team is at your disposal via phone, text, email, or in person (in select cities) for anything you need during your 2026 World Cup experience.

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Manchester United stuns Manchester City in FA Cup final to win title

LONDON (AP) — Manchester United won the FA Cup after stunning defending champion Manchester City 2-1 in the final at Wembley on Saturday.

United’s first silverware of the season deprived crosstown rival City of the first back-to-back English league-cup doubles. United also qualified for the Europa League next season.

The final was a repeat of last year’s which City won 2-1, and Pep Guardiola’s team did not give up its trophy without a fight.

Alejandro Garnacho opened the scoring in the 30th minute after mistakes from City defender Josko Gvardiol and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

Kobbie Mainoo then added a second goal in the 39th to spark passionate celebrations from manager Erik ten Hag, whose job was under intense scrutiny going into the final.

United was in control at halftime but City piled the pressure on in the second half and eventually got back into the game through substitute Jeremy Doku’s long range shot into the bottom corner in the 87th.

By that point Erling Haaland had hit the bar, Kyle Walker had forced goalkeeper Andre Onana into two outstretched saves, and substitute Julian Alvarez missed the target from close range with only the keeper to beat.

It is United’s 13th FA Cup, one behind Arsenal’s record of 14. And it is Ten Hag’s second trophy in as many years at the club after winning the League Cup last year.

Players and staff embraced him on the field after the final whistle as the Dutchman managed to end a troubled campaign on a high.

Watching on were the United co-owners, Americans Joel and Avram Glazer and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe.

Speculation about Ten Hag’s future dominated the buildup and it was widely anticipated he would lose his job regardless of the result after overseeing United’s worst league season in 34 years.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team and winning the cup,” he said before kickoff.

It was a very different story for City. After becoming the first English team to win four titles in a row, it was aiming to set a new benchmark by completing back-to-back doubles. City's parade in Manchester on Monday to celebrate the historic league success will not include the FA Cup.

City dominated possession in the first half but United posed the more threatening attacks and took the lead through Garnacho.

The Argentine winger sparked panic in City’s defense when chasing onto a hopeful punt from Diogo Dalot deep in his half. Gvardiol was quicker to the ball, but his headed back pass went over the onrushing City goalkeeper Ortega to leave Garnacho with an open net to tap home.

If that goal benefited from luck, United’s second came from a slick attack, with Garnacho at the heart of it again when cutting in from the right wing and playing in Bruno Fernandes.

The United captain hit a first-time no-look pass to Mainoo, who coolly slotted past Ortega.

“It’s been a tough season with ups and downs. This is the only thing we’ve had to look forward to,” Mainoo said. “We knew we had to come together. The preparation for this game has been amazing. We’ve shown we can compete and win games.”

FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities gather in Toronto as game-changing tournament edges closer

16 Host Cities and FIFA’s three North American offices meet for third time in six months

Workshops helping progress critical FIFA World Cup 26™ planning and collaboration efforts

Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity joins reception to discuss the potential impact of FWC26

Representatives from the 16 FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities across Canada, Mexico and United States joined colleagues from FIFA’s Toronto, Mexico City and Miami offices in Toronto this week for a series of planning workshops as preparations towards kick-off on 11 June 2026 continue at pace. More than 100 representatives from Host Cities and FIFA came together for the third time in six-months for three days of intensive working group discussions. Critical operational and fan experience topics such as Guest Operations, FIFA Fan Festivals™, FIFA Music, Volunteers, Legacy and Ceremonies were on the agenda. The FIFA World Cup 26 teams were also joined by The Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, who joined a FIFA World Cup 26™ reception at Toronto’s iconic CN Tower. The Minister spoke about the importance of sport and football to Canadians and the positive impact and lasting economic, social and cultural legacy a tournament of this scale will have. “It was great to welcome FIFA officials and representatives of all the host cities to Toronto for the Host City Workshop. We have an exciting opportunity in Canada to use our 13 World Cup matches and the six-week celebration of soccer to continue to propel this sport forward across our country long after the last ball of the tournament has been kicked. We can’t wait to welcome the world to Toronto and Vancouver in 2026!” said The Honourable Carla Qualtrough.

FIFA World Cup 26™ Host City workshop in Toronto

Leading the workshop and welcome reception was FIFA World Cup™ COO Heimo Schirgi joined by Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Canada Peter Montopoli, Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026™ USA Manolo Zubiria, Chief Tournament Officer, FIFA World Cup 2026™ Mexico Jurgen Mainka, Chief Strategy & Planning Officer Amy Hopfinger and GB Jones, Chief of Safety & Security. “Thank you to Minister Qualtrough for attending and giving everyone an extra boost of motivation and focus as we approach the final two years on the road to 2026. Thanks also to the 16 host city teams who made their way to Toronto for some very worthwhile group sessions. Their continued dedication is what will ensure this tournament is game-changing in every way”, said Schirgi. Sharon Bollenbach, Executive Director, World Cup Hosting 2026, City of Toronto, also attended the workshops and reception and said: “We are proud of the team we have assembled here in Toronto and confident in our vision and our ability to deliver something amazing here in 2026. We were pleased to host everyone in our city this week and look forward to welcoming hundreds of thousands of fans in 2026 and showcasing everything that makes Toronto a world-class city.” The FIFA World Cup 26 will be the most inclusive and diverse sporting event ever, with three host countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams and 104 matches uniting the entire world on a huge stage and engaging billions of fans worldwide. Fans wishing to keep up to date with the latest news and information regarding FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets can register at FIFA.com .

Why FIFA is facing pushback over US-staged Club World Cup

The new version of the Club World Cup is slated for June 15 to July 13 next year.

By James Robson | The Associated Press • Published May 9, 2024

FIFA is facing renewed pushback over its expanded Club World Cup just over a year before the tournament is due to be staged in the United States.

World players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Association want the event to be rescheduled and the international match calendar reformed over concerns about players' welfare and their “fundamental rights.”

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It comes after a report by the union last year said 43% of World Cup players surveyed had experienced “extreme or increased mental fatigue.”

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press on Thursday, soccer's world governing body FIFA has been accused of pushing players “beyond their limits, with significant injury risks” by expanding its competitions.

Soccer or football, the world's most popular sport now has its own day for fans to celebrate

Which US states are the most interested in soccer? 

What's new.

A 32-team World Cup for clubs could be FIFA’s answer to the dominance of the Champions League and English Premier League as one of the most popular and lucrative sports competitions in the world.

The new tournament will be staged every four years during most top leagues' offseason and in-between the World Cup and European Championship.

The format will emulate the men’s and women’s World Cups, with eight groups of four. Two teams advance from each group, leading to a knockout stage from the round of 16 through to the final.

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A new expanded competition has sparked concerns over the demands on players in an increasingly congested match calendar, which will include an expanded 48-team World Cup from 2026.

Plans to stage it in 2025 means three straight years of major competitions during the usual offseason, given the European Championship and Copa America are being held this summer and the next World Cup is in 2026.

FIFA has previously said the dates would be “harmoniously aligned with the international match calendar” to ensure sufficient rest for players ahead of the start of domestic leagues.

FIFPRO has become increasingly concerned about the physical and mental health of players in the face of growing demands.

Last season, Manchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes made 70 appearances for club and country, including a run of 20 consecutive games as a result of the World Cup in Qatar being staged midway through the campaign.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri played in 10 different competitions.

There have been claims that such demands could lead to burnout, injuries and the premature curtailing of careers.

FIFPRO and the WLA are demanding the international calendar, which FIFA controls, gets “immediately amended.”

As well as rescheduling the Club World Cup, they want to reopen discussions on the release periods for players from 2024-30 and review the “Intercontinental Cup,” which is effectively a replacement for the old short-format Club World Cup staged at the end of the year.

The letter warns legal action against FIFA could be considered if the governing body doesn't comply.

“Leagues and players cannot simply be expected to ‘adapt’ to FIFA’s decisions, which are driven by FIFA’s business strategy. We have reached the point where this situation must immediately be addressed both from a procedural and substantive perspective,” the letter said.

Concerns will hardly be alleviated by European soccer’s governing body UEFA changing the Champions League format from next season, with two additional games. The European Championship has also been expanded in recent years.

OTHER REACTION

Leading clubs in Europe have voiced their approval of the expanded Club World Cup.

The European Clubs Association said it was “fantastic news for club football in general.”

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Soccer-Brazil picked to host 2027 Women's World Cup at FIFA Congress

By Martin Petty

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Brazil was declared host of the 2027 Women's World Cup after winning a vote at the annual FIFA Congress on Friday, beating the joint bid of Belgium, Netherlands and Germany to become the first South American country picked to stage the tournament.

Brazil won with 119 votes versus 78 for the joint European entry, boosted by a technical evaluation from world governing body FIFA that gave a high score for its commercial plan and stadiums purpose-built for the 2014 Men's World Cup.

"We knew we would be celebrating a victory for South American women's soccer and for women," said Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian Football Confederation.

"You can be sure, with no vanity, we will accomplish the best World Cup for women."

The Congress in Bangkok heard a call by FIFA for all members to implement mandatory sanctions to tackle racist abuse.

There was also a Palestinian proposal to suspend the Israel Football Association (IFA), accusing it of multiple violations of FIFA statutes, including over the war in Gaza and inclusion in Israel's leagues of teams located in Palestinian territory.

Since an Oct. 7 cross-border raid by Hamas-led gunmen that Israel says killed more than 1,200 people, the offensive in Gaza has left more than 35,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health officials.

'RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY'

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said an urgent legal assessment of the Palestinian allegations would be undertaken and the FIFA Council would convene an extraordinary Congress in late July to address the issue.

He said he was extremely shocked by both the Oct. 7 attack and the devastation in Gaza, adding: "I pray for all those people who suffer unimaginably".

The president of the Palestinian Football Association (PFA), Jibril Rajoub, had accused the IFA of racism and discrimination, in a proposal that alleged complicity in its failure to condemn the operations in Gaza. The IFA rejected that.

"FIFA cannot afford to remain indifferent to these violations or the ongoing genocide in Palestine," Rajoub told the Congress. "I ask you to stand on the right side of history... If not now, when?"

Israeli counterpart Shino Moshe Zuares said the proposal had nothing to do with football and the IFA had broken no rules.

"Once again, we are facing a cynical political and hostile attempt by the PFA to harm Israel," he said.

"I am holding myself back ... in the hope things can be better for the game for those who play in Israel, the Palestinian authority, or those who play all over the world."

TRANSFORMATIVE BID

The vote on the Women's World Cup had been whittled down to two candidates after the United States and Mexico withdrew to pursue the 2031 tournament instead.

Brazil had scored 4.0 out of 5 compared to 3.7 for Belgium-Netherlands-Germany in the FIFA evaluation, which had highlighted the European bid's compactness, solid commercial viability and short distances between venues, but noted smaller capacities of its 13 stadiums.

Brazil soccer chief Rodrigues said the win was the result of conviction, not lobbying.

"We were not campaigning, asking for votes. We were working to give FIFA what it needed," he said.

The bid's operational manager Valesca Araujo said the aim was to boost women's soccer in South America, which was underdeveloped and had huge potential.

"The concept we presented went beyond a sports tournament. We worked for a transformation," she said.

"Now we have to celebrate. It's a great achievement for South America."

FIFA vowed to be tough on racism with a call for strict measures to be implemented by all member over instances of abuse, including forfeiting of matches, and introducing racism as an offence in players' disciplinary codes.

It advocates suspending or abandoning games plus the introduction of a global standard gesture for players to inform referees of racist abuse.

"If it is a problem of society and society can't deal with it, let's deal with it in football once and for all," Infantino said.

Infantino also weighed in on what he called a "futile debate" over the volume of matches played globally, arguing FIFA organised about 1% of club games and just 1% to 2% of national team matches.

He reminded delegates that most FIFA members "would have no football without the resources" FIFA provides.

"I hope these figures will show that we should probably stop this futile debate, it's really pointless, and focus on what we need to do," he said.

(Reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by Ken Ferris and Shri Navaratnam)

Ramos: USA need to win games we’re not supposed to in 2026

Tab Ramos speaks to FIFA about USA hosting the next World Cup and what they can achieve at the tournament.

Former midfielder was a stalwart of the 1994 USA team

Ramos hopes soccer can reach NBA-like levels of popularity in 2026

New Jersey resident thrilled that final will be played in his backyard

For decades, only a select group of men in the USA have ever known the feeling of playing a FIFA World Cup™ on home soil. One of them is Tab Ramos, who was part of the team that captured the hearts of the country overnight in the summer of 1994.

The impact that World Cup had on soccer in the US is indelible. Now, a new generation of Americans, many of whom played under Ramos when he was USA U-20 coach, will have a similar experience at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Ramos spoke with FIFA about what they can expect playing in a World Cup in the USA, and what it means that the final will be played in his home state of New Jersey.

FIFA: How excited are you to see the World Cup back in the USA? FIFA: How excited are you to see the World Cup back in the USA?

Tab Ramos: I’m excited more about what it could do for soccer in the country. For us, we were hoping that 1994 would be the World Cup that made soccer stick, and I think it did that. I’m hoping this is the one that closes the gap on the other big sports in the country, and that we actually become relevant.

In terms of relevancy, what are you hoping to see? In terms of relevancy, what are you hoping to see?

MLS is around, but there’s no question that we’re in a moment in which you walk into a bar and people are not talking about soccer. On a Saturday morning you can go to a lot of places where there are EPL games on and people follow that, but you have to be ‘in the soccer world’. I’m hoping that this is the World Cup that gets people into soccer who are not into soccer.

What’s your advice to the USA players who will be playing on home soil? What’s your advice to the USA players who will be playing on home soil?

It’s difficult to tell them one thing because we’re such different generations. We were a generation in which we were obligated to sell the game, so everything we did had to sell the game because we needed it to stay around. If I had to give the players of today any advice, it would be to tell them that this is really important and you have to continue to sell the game. That’s a big responsibility and one I hope they accept.

How far do you think this team can go in the tournament? How far do you think this team can go in the tournament?

People like to judge the team by how far it goes in the World Cup. I think a lot of it has to do with your draw and who you play. What I can tell you is that we expect a lot from this team. We have have somehow branded this group of players as a golden generation because they’ve been together for a long time, so the expectations are higher. How far can we go? I’m hoping we do what we’ve always done, which is get results you’re not supposed to get. We did it in the 90s, we did it in the 2000s. I think we need to win some games that we are not supposed to win and if we do that, I think we’ll be happy with whatever the end is.

You grew up in New Jersey. What’s your reaction to the final being played at New York New Jersey Stadium? You grew up in New Jersey. What’s your reaction to the final being played at New York New Jersey Stadium?

It’s incredible that the most important soccer game in the world will be played right down the road. Already for World Cup ’94, it was difficult to believe that there were going to be World Cup games at Giants Stadium because we could have never imagined that growing up, so to have the World Cup final here is another level. I’m really excited about it. The whole world will be focused on New Jersey for one day and that will be amazing.

Many of the players that figure to be on the 2026 roster played for you on the U-20 team. How much does it mean to you to know that you had a hand in their development? Many of the players that figure to be on the 2026 roster played for you on the U-20 team. How much does it mean to you to know that you had a hand in their development?

It means a lot. I certainly don’t take credit for what has happened to these guys. I kind of happened to be in the way. When you see them as younger players, you see them with those really big eyes, trying to make it, trying to take in information, playing hard against teams that we weren’t supposed to beat at the time, like France or Colombia. You see them believe for the first time internationally that our country is just as good as any other on the field. In this last World Cup in 2022, I was involved with maybe 17 or 19 of the players. I’m sure it will be less for the next one, but the core is still the same. I’m really proud of the careers these guys have made.

Not a lot of people realize that you also played futsal on the global stage. What are your memories of FIFA Futsal World Cup in 1989? Not a lot of people realize that you also played futsal on the global stage. What are your memories of FIFA Futsal World Cup in 1989?

I have to say that it was an amazing experience. I loved it. It was at a time where all of us, even the senior national-team players, were just looking to get any kind of games or competition and when we saw it at the time we said, ‘Why not?’ The coach at the time called us and we said, ‘Let’s do this, let’s go’. It was so much fun. It was a great experience. These days, some of the most gifted technical players in the world play futsal. It’s not easy. To play in the Futsal World Cup now is a different world. The players are amazing. I think it’s a great event. Every game has a couple magicians in it.