In a highly anticipated announcement, FIFA revealed the foundational pieces of the 2026 World Cup schedule, setting the stage for the most complex tournament ever. The tournament will kick off in Mexico City and conclude with the final match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The United States men's national team will have their matches held in Southern California and Seattle. Atlanta and Arlington, Texas, have been chosen as the semifinal venues. Overall, the United States will host 78 out of 104 games in 11 different cities, Mexico will host 13 games, and Canada will host 13 games.

New York City and New Jersey celebrated as they secured the highly coveted final. Despite stiff competition from Dallas and AT&T Stadium, New York and MetLife Stadium emerged victorious. The decision was a natural one, with New York being the cultural capital of the Western world and a global city with unmatched popularity.

While MetLife Stadium may not match the grandeur of its counterparts, it is the most experienced soccer venue among the contenders. The stadium's experience and capability to maintain well-manicured grass played a crucial role in FIFA's decision-making process.

The announcement also shed light on the schedule for other host cities. Dallas secured a semifinal and will host the most games overall, with nine matches including five group stage games. Atlanta will host the other semifinal, while Los Angeles settled for a quarterfinal and two USMNT group matches. Kansas City, Miami, and Boston will also host quarterfinals.

Each of the 11 U.S. host cities will have at least six matches, with Philadelphia hosting a Round of 16 game on July 4, marking the nation's 250th anniversary. The Canadian cities of Toronto and Vancouver will each host six games, while Mexico's Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey will have a total of four games.

The schedule announcement provided the "what," "when," and "where" of the 2026 World Cup, but specifics about individual matchups and which cities will host them will be revealed closer to the tournament. FIFA plans to assign two cities from the same regional cluster to a specific group, allowing flexibility in determining matchups and maximizing attendance for popular teams in North America's largest markets.

The scheduling process, including determining match times and ticketing processes, will be finalized after the December 2025 draw. FIFA aims to optimize match times for players, fans, and viewers worldwide, taking into account factors such as time differences and weather conditions.

As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, anticipation continues to grow for the tournament draw in December 2025, which will provide a clearer picture of the matches and rivalries that fans can expect during this historic event.