2026 WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

FIFA™ | United States of America, Canada & Mexico

Cincinnati former candidate, not selected as 2026 World Cup host city

Update June 16, 2022: not selected as 2026 World Cup host city

Original information:

2026 World Cup cities: Cincinnati is a U.S. city hosting the World Cup in North America. The city in the USA is (possibly, being a candidate) part of the sixteen cities that will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the US cities that have made a stadium available – Cincinnati has the Paul Brown Stadium – in addition to three Canadian and three Mexican host cities. Find here the most important information you will need, perhaps to visit the city in 2026. Information about buying tickets for this American World Cup Soccer city of play. Info about the time zone, tourist attractions, typical characteristics in the field of sports, football and culture. And more about what Cincinnati has to offer visiting fans of the global finals in 2026.

State: Ohio
City population: 302,605 (2018 est.)
Time zone: winter UTC-5 (EST), summer UTC-4 (EDT)
Altitude: 147 – 293 meters
Exp. temperature during the 2026 World Cup: between 22 – 24 °C
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium
Seating capacity:

Cincinnati World Cup city – in short

Cincinnati, the third-largest city in the State of Ohio, was settled in 1788 and is located where the Licking and Ohio rivers confluence. The city is the main part of the Cincinnati metropole, an economic superpower in the Mid-West of the United States. This Candidate Host City for the World Cup soccer in 2026 serves as the perfect bridge between travelling in and discovering much more of the United States. From this city, the majority part of the U.S. population is accessible within a one day drive or a one-hour flight.

Cincinnati tourist hotspots

Cincinnati attractions: these are the best tourist spots of World Cup Soccer City Cincinnati, USA. Are you buying a ticket for one or more matches at the Paul Brown Stadium? These are the hotspots of Cincinnati that, around the World Cup match, make your trip, visit and stay in the city even more fantastic.

See these tips with museums, parks, shopping centers, events, galleries, historical, cultural and/or musical experiences and other places of interest. They can be experienced in Cincinnati, host of the World Cup 2026. The best attractions and the best things to do? Find here the best hotels, restaurants, theaters, concert halls, entertainment and activities to do in Cincinnati. For children and adults. A useful quick summary. And if desired, click through to the official Cincinnati Tourism and Travel website.

Cincinnati Sports & Soccer City

This sports town is proud of its Cincinnati Reds (MLB, baseball) and its Cincinnati Bengals (NFL, American Football) teams. FC Cincinnati plays in the USL Championship, the second soccer league of the USA. Having a strong sporting background, a huge amount of fans and working with dedication on the development of its youth soccer players, the city aims to become part of the Major League Soccer in the future.

Cincinnati team in MLS

Currently there’s no MLS soccer team based in Cincinnati. FC Cincinnati plays in the second division; the USL Championship.


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FIFA WORLD CUP QUALIFIcation

World Cup Football Qualifiers North America, Central America, Caribbean

Qualification North America, Central America, Caribbean

In North America, Central America and the Caribbean, the FIFA qualifiers run from March 18, 2024 to November 18, 2025. Six, seven or eight of the 32 participating CONCACAF nations qualify, joining hosts USA, Canada and Mexico.

World Cup Football Qualifiers South America

FIFA World Cup football Qualification South America

In South America, the FIFA World Cup qualifiers run from September 7, 2023 to September 9, 2025. A total of 10 CONMEBOL nations participate. Six to seven South American countries will qualify. There is one single round.

World Cup Football Qualifiers Europe

FIFA World Cup football qualification Europe

In Europe, the qualifiers run from March 17, 2025 to March 31, 2026. A total of 55 (of 54) UEFA nations participate. Sixteen European countries will qualify. There is one group stage (Round 1), followed by the European play-offs.

World Cup Football Qualifiers Asia

FIFA World Cup football Qualification Asia

In Asia, the World Cup qualification runs from October 12, 2023 to November, 2025. A total of 46 AFC nations participate. Eight or nine Asian countries will qualify. There are three qualifying rounds, before the play-offs.

World Cup Football Qualifiers Africa

FIFA World Cup football Qualification Africa

In Africa, the World Cup football qualifiers run from November 13, 2023 to November 18, 2025. A total of 54 CAF nations participate. Nine or ten African countries will qualify. There are two qualification rounds.

World Cup Football Qualifiers Oceania

FIFA World Cup football Qualification Oceania

In Oceania, the FIFA qualifiers for the World Cup football run from September, 2024 to March, 2025. Eleven OFC nations participate. One or two Oceanic countries qualify. There are three qualification rounds.


2026 HOST CITies & STADIUMS

Host Cities USA

The 2026 American Dream: the United States is one of the three hosts of the FIFA World Cup Soccer in North America. The USA is the host country with the most - eleven - host cities.

Host Cities Canada

With Vancouver, and Toronto, Canada has two host cities for the world's football finals in North America in 2026. Get more information about the characteristics of these exciting and diverse, dynamic cities.

Host Cities Mexico

With Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico has three candidate host cities for the World Cup in 2026. Each host with its specific ambience, history, attractions, hotspots and other features.

Stadiums USA

The United States will have eleven stadiums for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Click for more information about these fantastic and modern venues in the USA, and which matches they will host.

Stadiums Canada

During the 2026 World Cup finals, these are the two venues in Canada: BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, and BMO Field in Toronto. Find out more about these attractive Canadian stadiums.

Stadiums Mexico

In Mexico, the FIFA 2026 World Cup will take place in these stadiums: Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and the BBVA Bancomer Stadium in Monterrey.