FAQ

FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the largest and most inclusive World Cup in history. Next year’s tournament will take place across 16 host cities throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States, which marks the first FIFA World Cup™ to be hosted across three countries.

FIFA World Cup 26™ will have a new format, featuring 48 teams (16 more than Qatar 2022™), 104 matches (40 more than the last edition), an additional knockout round and the need to win more matches to lift the World Cup.

The eagerly-anticipated tournament will kick-off on June 11, 2026, and end with the Final on July, 19 2026. The 2026 edition The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the largest single-sport event in the world, with 6.5 million people expected to attend the tournament’s matches in- stadium, truly bringing the world to North America.

NYNJ will host FIFA World Cup 26™ 8 matches in total at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium). These matches include: 5 Group Stage matches, 1 Round of 32 match, and 1 Round of 16 match, and the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final Match:

• Group Stage Matches in NYNJ
  June 13, 2026 – Match7:GroupC
  June 16, 2026 – Match 17: Group I
  June 22, 2026 – Match 41: Group I
  June 25, 2026 – Match 56: Group E
  June 27, 2026 – Match 67: Group L

• Knockout Stage Matches in NYNJ
  June 30, 2026 – Match 77: Round of 32
  July 5, 2026 – Match91: Round of 16

• Final Match in NYNJ
  July 19, 2026 – Match 104: FIFA World Cup Final Match

The full FIFA World Cup 2026™ match schedule – including all games across the United States, Mexico, and Canada — is available here.

The New York New Jersey Host Committee is the official organizing body working alongside FIFA to deliver an unforgettable FIFA World Cup 2026™ experience in one of the world’s most iconic and diverse regions.

Formed through a dynamic partnership of civic leaders, public agencies, sports organizations, and community voices from both states, our mission is to welcome the world to NYNJ—celebrating the global game while creating a lasting legacy of inclusion, innovation, and impact.

NYNJ is proud of our world-class public transportation system, a differentiator for our region, which serves our stadium and other sites relevant to FIFA World Cup 2026™ events. One can access MetLife Stadium via public transportation from nearly anywhere in the region and beyond – Staten Island to Cherry Hill, from Washington DC to Boston.

NJ Transit provides a special event rail service from Secaucus Junction directly to the Sports Complex Station, just steps from the stadium.

Our region’s public transportation is serviced by the following agencies:

• Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• NJ TRANSIT
• Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
• NY Waterway

Visit our Transportation page for the most updated information and transport tickets.

Tickets for FIFA World Cup 26™ will go on sale to the general public in the third quarter of 2025. Fans can learn more and register their interest now at FIFA.com/tickets, the official and preferred source of tickets for the tournament.

FIFA World Cup 26™ will bring the world together, and the NYNJ Host Committee will bring you the best of it all as a non-exclusive sales agent of On Location in New York New Jersey.

Immerse yourself in the ultimate celebration of sports and culture through an extraordinary hospitality journey featuring premium seats, meet-and-greets, entertainment, food and beverage, and beyond.

Experience…

Unrivaled Access

Enjoy extraordinary seats, exclusive meet-and-greets, and access to private lounges and spaces.

Flexible Options

Create your own bucket-list experience with ticket-inclusive series packages that fit a range of tastes and budgets.

Personalized Services

Experience white-glove hospitality with custom itineraries and on-site hosts.

The FIFA Fan Festival™ is the central fan destination of the FIFA World Cup 26™ for local communities as well as for fans from around the globe. It’s the best place outside of Stadiums to watch FIFA World Cup™ Matches live in a buzzing environment and experience the best in football, music, entertainment, culture, food and lifestyle.

With the iconic Manhattan skyline, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty as its backdrop, Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ will serve as the official home of the FIFA Fan Festival™ New York New Jersey—the largest and most visible fan experience of the entire tournament.

Kicking off on June 11, the festival will welcome tens of thousands of fans to a vibrant celebration of soccer, culture, and community. Attendees can expect:

• Live match broadcasts on massive screens
• Concerts presented by Live Nation on non-match “Rest Days”
• Interactive games and activations
• Local food vendors and official merchandise
• Sponsor experiences and special performances

Produced by Live Nation in collaboration with renowned event producer DPS, this fan hub will be a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike—offering an unforgettable way to experience the world’s game in one of the world’s most iconic settings.

More can be found via our FIFA World Cup 2026™ Community Engagement Toolkit: A Quick- Start Guide to Getting Involved, Making an Impact, and Celebrating Our Communities.

International visitors to the United States may need a visa depending on their nationality and travel plans. For those attending FIFA World Cup 26™ matches or related events in the NYNJ region, here are key guidelines:

1. Visitors should check visa requirements based on their citizenship by visiting the U.S. State Department Visa Website (https://travel.state.gov/) Travelers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may be eligible to enter with an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
2. Early planning is recommended as Visa processing times can vary, so it’s best to apply as early as possible once your travel dates are confirmed. Embassies and consulates may experience high demand ahead of the tournament.