World Cup 2026 host cities announced as the US, Canada and Mexico prepare for expanded event
- Michael Graham
- 17 June 2022
We haven't even got to Qatar yet, but the host cities for the 2026 World Cup have now been confirmed.
FIFA have confirmed the 16 cities that will host World Cup matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
The 2026 edition will be the first in a newly expanded 48-team format, with an extra 16 teams able to make it to the finals.
It will be also be the first World Cup jointly hosted by three nations.
The United States have 11 of the venues, with Stadia in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle all chosen.
Toronto and Vancouver will host the games on the Candian side of the border, with Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey the venues in Mexico.
Meanwhile, there was disapppointment for Cincinnati, Denver, Edmonton, Nashville, Orlando and Washington D.C/Baltimore, who saw their bids to be chosen as host cities rejected.
Selections were confirmed during a ceremony at Rockefeller Center in New York City, overseen by FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
"We congratulate the 16 FIFA World Cup host cities on their outstanding commitment and passion," Infantino said in a statement.
"Today is a historic day - for everyone in those cities and states, for FIFA, for Canada, the USA and Mexico who will put on the greatest show on Earth.
🎉🇨🇦 ᴠᴀɴᴄᴏᴜᴠᴇʀ 🇨🇦🎉
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 16, 2022
Vancouver will be a #FIFAWorldCup 2026 Host City! 🙌#HostCity2026 pic.twitter.com/8IJhekesYR
"We look forward to working together with them to deliver what will be an unprecedented FIFA World Cup and a game-changer as we strive to make football truly global."
North America will host the men's World Cup for the first time in 32 years and a fourth occasion in total.
The United States staged the 1994 edition, won by Brazil, while Mexico hosted the 1970 and 1986 tournaments, won by Brazil and Argentina respectively.
Canada has never previously hosted the competition but did stage the women's World Cup in 2015.
