2026 WORLD CUP FOOTBALL

FIFA™ | United States of America, Canada & Mexico

San Francisco Bay Area | Host City World Cup 2026

2026 World Cup cities: San Francisco (Bay Area) 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. San Francisco Bay Area, California, is one of the eleven US cities that have made a stadium available – San Francisco has the Levi’s 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 San Francisco Bay Area has to offer visiting fans of the global finals in 2026.

State: California
City population San Francisco: 883,305 (2018 est.)
Time zone: winter UTC-8 (EST), summer UTC-7 (EDT)
Altitude: varies
Exp. temperature during the 2026 World Cup: 11.6 – 19.2 °C
Venue: Levi’s Stadium
Seating capacity:

San Francisco World Cup city – in brief

San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose: these metropolitan areas form the San Francisco Bay Area, in Northern California. Silicon Valley is part of this area, as well as the rolling to steep hills characterizing the skyline of San Francisco and the world famous Golden Gate Bridge. The ‘Bay Area’ is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Having a mild climate, although with relatively cool summers, and possessing exponents like Chinatown, Alcatraz, the Transamerica Pyramid and the historic cable cars, the San Francisco Bay Area has a recognizable appearance.

San Francisco (Bay Area) tourist hotspots

San Francisco attractions: these are the best tourist spots of World Cup Soccer City San Francisco (Bay Area), USA. Are you buying a ticket for one or more matches at the Levi’s Stadium? These are the hotspots of San Francisco Bay Area 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 San Francisco Bay Area, 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 San Francisco. For children and adults. A useful quick summary. And if desired, click through to the official San Francisco Tourism and Travel website.

San Francisco Sports & Soccer City

In this region, many internationally high level sports events have taken place: from the 1994 Olympic Games to matches during the 1994 World Cup Soccer and from the 1999 Women’s World Cup Soccer to matches played at the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the Copa America cups. Also many top soccer squads have played exhibition games in the Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco. Furthermore, the San Jose Earthquakes are fighting in the MLS, already since the creation of the Major League Soccer, under the name of San Jose Clash. The ‘Bay Area’ also boasts multiple Super Bowls winners, the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, multiple World Series winners San Francisco Giants as well as the Oakland Athletics in the MLB and the Golden State Warriors in the NBA.

San Francisco team in MLS

San Jose Earthquakes.


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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.