Arrr! MetLife Stadium be chosen to host thar grand 2026 World Cup Final, me hearties! Yo ho ho!
2024-02-04
Avast ye landlubbers! FIFA hath declared on Sunday that Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, hath been chosen to host the grand finale of the 2026 World Cup. Aye, there be other spots across the U.S. to witness earlier matches, arrr!
MetLife Stadium has been chosen as the venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, according to an announcement by the organization on Sunday. The game is scheduled to take place on July 19, 2026, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The stadium has a capacity of 82,500, making it an ideal location for such an important match.New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy expressed his excitement about hosting the World Cup final, highlighting the opportunity it provides to showcase the region's values of diversity, equality, access, and inclusion. MetLife Stadium has previously hosted several soccer matches, including a game between Manchester United and Arsenal in 2023, which set a record attendance of 82,262.
The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The opening match will be held in Mexico City, with the host team playing against an opponent from their group. The U.S. men's national team will begin their World Cup journey in Los Angeles, playing their first match at SoFi Stadium on June 12. They will remain on the West Coast for all their group-stage matches, with two games taking place in Seattle as well.
The semifinals matches are scheduled to be held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The quarterfinals will take place at various locations, including SoFi Stadium, Gillette Stadium, Arrowhead Stadium, and Hard Rock Stadium. FIFA has carefully planned the tournament to accommodate the different time zones and ensure the well-being of players and fans. Teams will be based in specific regions, allowing for easier travel and maximizing rest and recovery time.
This World Cup will also feature an expanded bracket, with 48 teams participating for the first time in history. This decision aims to increase the global reach and inclusivity of the tournament, providing more opportunities for countries to compete on the world stage.