The 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, organisers Fifa announced on Sunday. The New York bid held off a strong challenge from Dallas to secure the 19 July game, the culmination of the expanded 48-team tournament being co-hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The competition will kick-off with the opening game at Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium on 11 June. Atlanta and Dallas will host the semifinals while the third-place game will take place in Miami.
The decisions were announced on a live television broadcast in North America which featured Fifa president Gianni Infantino alongside comedian and actor Kevin Hart, rapper Drake and celebrity Kim Kardashian.The 82 500-seat MetLife Stadium, across the Hudson river in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets but has held a number of international football games including the final of the 2016 Copa America tournament.
The New York bid had lobbied hard on the city’s experience at hosting major international events and it’s position as a global city with easy transportation connections for fans.
Dallas had hoped that AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, home to the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, would benefit from having a roof to protect the game from the elements.
Los Angeles had also thrown their hat into the ring but their attempt struggled amid disagreements with Fifa about tournament upgrades needed to their NFL venue, SoFi Stadium.
The Azteca will become the first stadium to host World Cup tournament games in three separate editions after 1970 and 1986.
🥁 The #FIFAWorldCup trophy will be raised in New York New Jersey!#WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/VIuAvYxOMV
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 4, 2024
The venue hosted the finals of the 1970 and 1986 tournaments. The United States will kick off their group stage campaign at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on 12 June and will also play in Seattle.
Toronto was selected to host the first game for the Canadian team. Vancouver is the other Canadian venue which will host the team.
Source: Supersport
In other news – Natasha Thahane dragged by Orlando Pirates fans for using black heart emoji
Former Orlando Pirates soccer star Thembinkosi Lorch is currently a hot topic among soccer lovers. This after he left Mabakabaka for Mamelodi Sundowns. While it has been over a week since he made the move, fans are still sharing their thoughts on him leaving his team.
As always, his baby mama and girlfriend Natasha Thahane, is also catching strays. Especially after she shared a video of herself wearing a Sundowns jersey three years ago. Read more
