The 2022 FIFA men’s World Cup in Qatar hasn’t even happened yet, but the focus is already turning to what will be the biggest World Cup ever held in the history of the tournament in 2026.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature the 48-team expanded format, increasing from the current 32-team editions which have existed since 1998.
FIFA on Thursday will announce its venue selections for the 2026 event, which will be held for the first time across three countries: North American nations USA, Canada and Mexico will team up to host the event with more teams (48) and matches (80) than ever before.
In an event that’s being held in New York City on Thursday, June 16, the world governing body will make its decisions known with up to 16-18 stadiums selected: 10-12 in the USA alone, three in Mexico and two or three in Canada.
Sporting News will be following the event live and providing updates as the selections are officially announced.
MORE: How the format will work for the 2026 World Cup in USA, Mexico and Canada
World Cup cities 2026 live announcement
There are 22 host cities and 23 venues on the shortlist for selection, with FIFA set to announce the final decision of where matches will be played. A total of 60 matches will be played on U.S. soil with 10 each in Mexico and Canada.
The table below will contain the confirmed venues as they’re announced during the event held in New York City.
| City | Country | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
FIFA World Cup host cities 2026 live updates, highlights from selection show
All times ET
5 p.m.: The broadcasts have started. It’s only a matter of time before the names of the cities begin their rollout.
4:32 p.m.: Already talk about which city is getting the World Cup draw.
If you hate Vancouver for getting more games that other cities… just wait, there’s more… There has been talk that the 2026 World Cup Draw could be held in Vancouver as well.
— Tyler Green (@tylergreenFC) June 16, 2022
4:22 p.m.: There will be watch parties across the continent. Here are two in the Bay Area (USA), Kansas City (USA), New York (USA), Guadalajara (Mexico), and Toronto (Canada):
Sporting KC’s @nate_bukaty hypes up the growing crowd: pic.twitter.com/9rRs0RiYIl
— Thomas Friestad (@KCBJ_Thomas) June 16, 2022
Esperando el anuncio oficial de las sedes de la Copa Del Mundo 2026.
NY y NJ listos para celebrar. @EspecialistasDD pic.twitter.com/w0Yy9DWSw5— Roberto Abramowitz (@RobAbramowitz) June 16, 2022
Gerardo Torrado y @JuanJoseFrangie, Presidente Municipal de Zapopan, presentes en el Palacio Municipal de Zapopan para hacer oficial a Guadalajara como sede del Mundial 2026⚽️🇲🇽🏟🏆. pic.twitter.com/I9DnCwA53R
— Duro de Marcar (@DurodeMarcarGDL) June 16, 2022
Here at the WC 2026 host city watch party
Via : @AreaSportsNet | #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/0HXwNqiOYL
— Juan Carlos (@JUAN_C71) June 16, 2022
Here at Real Sports in Toronto. Around an hour away from the 2026 #FIFAWorldCup host cities announcement. @LukeWileman @stevocaldwell in @TSN_Sports @TSNSoccer studios @salimvalji in Edmonton and @FarhanLaljiTSN in Vancouver. See you at 5pm ET/ 2pm PT pic.twitter.com/E700i2n21C
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) June 16, 2022
3:33 p.m.: The same reporter, David Medrano, indicates that FIFA is contemplating simultaneous inauguration in all three countries.
FIFA contempla inauguración tripartita para el 2026, juego inaugural al mismo tiempo en USA, México y Canadá.
— david medrano felix (@medranoazteca) June 16, 2022
3:28 p.m.: According to one Mexican media member, all 10 of Mexico’s matches will come in the group stage with all three venues getting matches, with four assigned to the Estadio Azteca.
México tendrá 10 partidos del Mundial 2026.
4 en el Azteca
3 en el BBVA
3 en el Akron
Todos de fase de grupos.— david medrano felix (@medranoazteca) June 16, 2022
3:20 p.m.: Prior to announcement day, there were a few reports already circling about a couple of venues. Most reported on Canadian city Edmonton, which is almost certainly on the outside looking in. While the initial plan was to have three venues in Canada and three in Mexico, FIFA seems to have ultimately decided on adding an additional U.S. city, and Edmonton appears to be the one sacrificed.
June 16th FIFA will be making its announcement of host cities for the 2026 World Cup. Sounds like the two Canadian cities will be Vancouver and Toronto. Edmonton is out.
— Irfaan Gaffar (@irfgaffar) June 9, 2022
Another report out of Canada suggested the same, and added the note that Vancouver would be awarded six of Canada’s 10 matches, while Toronto would host four, rather than an even five and five split.
I’m hearing Vancouver will be awarded six matches as a host city for the 2026 World Cup.
— Dan Riccio (@danriccio_) June 15, 2022
World Cup 2026 host cities finalists
The final 23 stadiums in contention to host World Cup matches follows below.
The 45,500 capacity at BMO Field in Toronto would be part of an expansion of the stadium which currently holds 30,000.
| Country | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Edmonton, Alberta | Commonwealth Stadium | 56,302 |
| Canada | Toronto, Ontario | BMO Field | 45,500 |
| Canada | Vancouver, British Columbia | BC Place | 54,000 |
| Mexico | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Estadio Akron | 46,232 |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Estadio Azteca | 87,523 |
| Mexico | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon | Estadio BBVA | 53,500 |
| USA | Atlanta, Ga. | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 71,000 |
| USA | Baltimore, Md. Washington, D.C. |
M&T Bank Stadium | 71,006 |
| USA | Boston, Mass. | Gillette Stadium | 65,878 |
| USA | Cincinnati, Ohio | Paul Brown Stadium | 65,515 |
| USA | Dallas (Arlington, Tex.) |
AT&T Stadium | 80,000 |
| USA | Denver, Colo. | Mile High Stadium | 76,125 |
| USA | Houston, Tex. | NRG Stadium | 71,795 |
| USA | Kansas City, Mo. | Arrowhead Stadium | 76,416 |
| USA | Los Angeles (Inglewood, Calif.) |
SoFi Stadium | 70,240 |
| USA | Los Angeles (Pasadena, Calif.) |
Rose Bowl | 92,000 |
| USA | Miami, Fla. | Hard Rock Stadium | 64,767 |
| USA | Nashville, Tenn. | Nissan Stadium | 69,143 |
| USA | New York (East Rutherford, N.J.) |
MetLife Stadium | 82,500 |
| USA | Orlando, Fla. | Camping World Stadium | 60,219 |
| USA | Philadelphia, Pa. | Lincoln Financial Field | 69,176 |
| USA | Santa Clara, Calif. | Levi’s Stadium | 68,500 |
| USA | Seattle, Wash. | Lumen Field | 69,000 |
What channel is the 2026 World Cup host city announcement on?
- Date: Thursday, June 16
- Time: 5 p.m. ET
- USA TV channel: FS1 | Universo
- Canada TV channel: TSN 1/5
- Live streams: Fox Sports Go | TSN GO | TSN Direct | fuboTV | FIFA+
In the United States, for English language audiences, FS1 will reveal the venues on a special broadcast live at that time. For Spanish language audiences, the venue reveal will be broadcast live on Universo.
In Canada, the selection will be broadcast on TSN1/5.
Additionally, around the world, the announcement can be watched on FIFA+ which is FIFA’s official streaming platform.
FOX Sports’ @RobStoneONFOX and @JennyTaft and Telemundo Deportes’ @AndresCantorGOL and @AnaJurka will host 2026 World Cup venue announcement Thursday at 5 pm ET on FS1 and Universo, networks announce.
— Steven Goff (@SoccerInsider) June 15, 2022
