New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium Wins Bid To Host 2026 World Cup Final

MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will be home to the FIFA World Cup final in July 2026, beating out Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium and Dallas’ AT&T Stadium to host the world’s highest-profile football match.

The home turf of the NFL’s New York Giants and Jets emerged the victor in a Sunday announcement from FIFA, the world soccer organization’s governing body. There had been intense speculation and UK tabloid reports that the body was leaning toward AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as the venue for the event.

Dallas will host more matches than any other city as well as the semifinals on July 14, 2026, while SoFi will host the opening match of the U.S. team on June 12.

The tournament opener, featuring the Mexican national team, will be played at Estadio Azteca Mexico City on June 11. The final in New Jersey is set for July 19.

“The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the USA,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a news release. “From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York New Jersey, players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament.”

The lobbying battle to nab the final was intense, with supporters of the New York-New Jersey bid arguing the region was the standout choice given the city’s global heritage, wealth of landmarks and attractions, and superior transit options, The Athletic reported. Matches played at the 82,500-seat open-air stadium are expected to generate more than $2B in economic impact for the region.

“The FIFA World Cup 26 Final will be a generation-defining moment for New York New Jersey, and there’s no better place to host the world’s biggest game than the world’s biggest stage,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement.

FIFA’s 2026 match schedule, also released Sunday, indicates 78 of 104 games will be played on U.S. soil: nine in Dallas, eight apiece in New Jersey, Atlanta and LA, seven each in Houston, Boston and Miami, and six apiece in Seattle, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Kansas City, Missouri.  

FIFA officials said the schedule and venues were selected to maximize rest days and minimize travel for teams while increasing the chances matches would be played in the best possible conditions. Fan travel time was also a consideration, FIFA said.

“The FIFA World Cup 26 will be a watershed moment and one that will trigger massive football development in our region and worldwide,” FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said in the release. “While each Host City is unique, they all have something in common — they are passionate about football and cannot wait to welcome the world in June and July 2026.”