2026 WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

FIFA™ | United States of America, Canada & Mexico

New York/New Jersey | Host City World Cup 2026

2026 World Cup cities: New York is a U.S. city hosting the World Cup in North America. The city in the USA is part of the sixteen cities that will host the FIFA World Cup in 2026. New York (NYC) / New Jersey, is one of the eleven US cities that have made a stadium available – New York has the MetLife Stadium – in addition to two 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 New York / New Jersey has to offer visiting fans of the global finals in 2026.

State: New York (+ New Jersey area)
City population: 8,398,748 (2018 est.)
Time zone: winter UTC-5 (EST), summer UTC-4 (EDT)
Altitude: varies
Exp. temperature during the 2026 World Cup: 17.6 – 28.9 °C
Venue: MetLife Stadium
Seating capacity:

New York World Cup city / New Jersey – in brief

The vibrant city ‘that never sleeps’ is 24/7 in the eye of the world. New York (NYC) is the most visited city in the United States, and its the biggest, with over 8 million inhabitants in the City itself and over 22 million people living in the city’s metropolitan area. New York/New Jersey is economically blessed with an harbor, and NYC is the financial capital of the US. New York City is well known for many of its buildings and more, like the stock market on Wall Street, 9/11 and the World Trade Center, the United Nations Headquarters, the Statue of Liberty, the financial district of Manhattan, the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center, the George Washington Bridge, Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square and the Brooklyn Bridge, amongst many others.

New York tourist hotspots

New York attractions: these are the best tourist spots of World Cup Soccer City New York / New Jersey, USA. Are you buying a ticket for one or more matches at the MetLife Stadium? These are the hotspots of New York/New Jersey 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 New York, 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 New York / New Jersey. For children and adults. A useful quick summary. And if desired, click through to the official New York Tourism and Travel website.

New York / New Jersey Sports & Soccer Area

New York / New Jersey sport two professional soccer teams playing in the Major League Soccer; NYCFC and The New York Red Bulls. It has hosted, amongst many other events, the FIFA World Cup 1994 (Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, and five more matches) and many US Men’s and Women’s National team performances. It has also hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and several CONCACAF Finals. Moreover, the area is home to teams like the Giants and the Jets (NFL), the Yankees and the Mets (MLB), the Knicks and the Nets (NBA), the Rangers, Islanders and the Devils (NHL) and houses the headquarters for these leagues, as well as for the MLS. Events like the New York City Marathon and the US Open tennis tournament are more than familiar to sports fans all over the world. The MetLife Stadium is located just 8 miles west of New York City.

New York teams in MLS (two)

New York City FC (NYCFC), The New York Red Bulls.


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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.