#world-cup-2026

#world-cup-2026

Every World Cup arrives with controversy. That is part of the tournament's DNA. Host nations worry about stadium readiness. Fans argue about ticket prices. Security planners lose sleep. What feels different this time is that the warning is not coming from activists in the stands or lawmakers in host cities. It is coming from the top of the sport's old establishment.

CITYWIDE- NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS/BELLEVUE, IN PREPARING FOR THE U.S. HOSTING THE WORLD CUP SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS THIS YEAR, has trained close to 500 health care and public health professionals to respond to high-consequence infectious disease threats. The city's public hospital system announced on Tuesday, Jan. 27, that during 2025, the health care professionals were trained across four jurisdictions encompassing New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Removing the United States as co-host of the 2026 World Cup would hurt for pretty much everyone. Fans would miss out on seeing the sport's pinnacle in their home towns (or somewhere nearby). Cities and businesses small and large would lose the financial benefits they had banked on. It would be a logistical and political nightmare on an international scale, the likes of which have never been seen before in sports. It would be eminently sad. And it would be entirely justified.

The huge, roaring screenings, the pubs' fizzling energy, the general sense of revelry in the streets... not to mention the ecstasy if and when England win. The joy of last summer's Lionesses Euros triumph is certainly still fresh in our memories. England and Scotland are already qualified for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States, while Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland could all still compete in North America in June.

AT&T Stadium's retractable dome and climate control create ideal July conditions in a state where outdoor summer football constitutes punishment. The 60-yard video screen is so infamous that punted footballs occasionally strike it during Cowboys games. It dominates the interior and is a show stopper, especially for the stadium's first-time goers. The capacity makes this the tournament's largest venue, though FIFA caps attendance at 94,000 for World Cup configurations.

Mauricio Pochettino was just establishing himself among European club soccer's managerial elite, taking Tottenham to the Champions League final a year later. Few could have imagined that he'd be leading the USMNT into the 2026 World Cup, and perhaps fewer believe he'll stick around for the next cycle. Nevertheless, after a 2-1 win over Australia in Commerce City, Colorado to end the October window, Pochettino noted he's building a team with 2030 in mind, too.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, is a spectacular sports venue with a stunning exterior that will be one of the architectural highlights for visitors in the United States for World Cup 2026. It was officially opened in 2017, has a retractable roof inspired by the Roman Pantheon, according to the man behind the design, and boasts seating for 75,000 fans.

Lumen Field is most northerly by far of the 11 United States stadiums hosting matches at World Cup 2026. Located in the Pacific Northwest, it's much closer to Vancouver than Santa Clara, where the next-closest USA stadium stands. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and will host four group stage matches and two knock-out games under the name 'Seattle Stadium'.

Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California USA (Image credit: Getty Images) Levi's Stadium is one of the 11 United States stadiums hosting matches at World Cup 2026 and one of two in the state of California. It will host six matches including one in the Round of 32. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and already has a wealth of experience when it comes to hosting football matches.

Most of the big-spending clubs in the Premier League had been interested in the Ghana international after he became one of the stars of the 2025-26 season. Semenyo is the third top scorer in the league with nine goals, plus has three assists. And now the former Bristol City man will finally have the opportunity to play in Europe - and the Champions League.

Gillette Stadium is the joint-smallest of the United States stadiums hosting matches at World Cup 2026 and will host seven matches including a quarter-final and games involving both England and Scotland. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and is the easternmost geographical point of the tournament. FourFourTwo has the complete lowdown on this World Cup stadium, from the capacity and history of Gillette Stadium to its usage at World Cup 2026.

Christian Pulisic is on pace for the best season of his career -- in a season that will conclude with a home World Cup for the United States. The American standout scored the opening goal for AC Milan in a 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday to raise his total to 10 goals and two assists in 15 matches across all competitions with the Rossoneri.

Estadio Akron is the smallest of World Cup 2026's three Mexican stadiums and will be the venue for just four matches, all of them in the group stage and including Mexico's game against South Korea. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and is the farthest west of Mexico's three stadiums. FourFourTwo has the complete lowdown on this World Cup stadium, from the capacity and history of Estadio Akron to its usage at World Cup 2026.

BMO Field is one of World Cup 2026's two Canadian venues and will host six matches including Canada's opener against the winner of Path A in UEFA's remaining play-off qualifying matches. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and is the smallest of all. It will be known as 'Toronto Stadium' for the duration of the competition.

"Mbappé, Lamine, Salah, Haaland, Raphinha or Julián Álvarez are the best in the world," he told Esquire magazine.

AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, is one of the most eye-catching stadiums in use at World Cup 2026. Opened in 2009, it has a retractable roof and a capacity of 94,000 seated fans. The stadium is primarily used for American football as the home of the Dallas Cowboys and the venue for the annual college football Cotton Bowl Classic. It's slated to host Dallas Stars NHL matches in 2027 and has already welcomed fans of boxing and Wrestlemania.

NRG Stadium is the closest of the 11 United States stadiums hosting matches at World Cup 2026 to the three venues in Mexico. Houston, Texas is just inland from the Gulf of Mexico in southern USA. It's one of 16 World Cup 2026 venues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and will host five group stage matches and two knock-out games under the name 'Houston Stadium'.