We already knew that the 2026 World Cup would be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Now we know the specific cities that will host soccer matches.
FIFA announced the 16 host cities on Thursday, spreading them between Canada (two), Mexico (three), and the United States (11).
The Canadian host cities will be Toronto, the nation’s most populous city, and Vancouver, which is the third-largest urban area in the country.
Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara, which are the three largest cities in Mexico, will be host venues as well.
In the United States, the host cities/regions will be Atlanta, GA, Boston, MA, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, Kansas City, MO, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, New York City & New Jersey, Philadelphia, PA, San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA.
THE HOST CITIES FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP HAVE BEEN REVEALED. 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/klHEkkpqY0
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2022
Along with being among the largest cities and metropolitan areas in the U.S., these cities also have strong soccer histories and include many of the MLS franchise hometowns.
The United States last hosted the World Cup in 1994. The good news for the three host nations is that they automatically qualify for the tournament, though getting out of the Group Stage is another story.
The news of which cities were chosen as host cities for the 2026 World Cup, and which ones were not, certainly made waves on social media on Thursday.
Absoluteley must have Italy play a game in philadelphia thats my only requirement https://t.co/R88qmUX32e
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) June 16, 2022
"New York / New Jersey" is… not a city https://t.co/kgQWVtx26I
— Seth Mandel (@SethAMandel) June 16, 2022
Every NFC East area is included.
…except Washington 😂 https://t.co/PFXntgdLaX
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) June 16, 2022
Gonna be talking a lot about the temperature at this World Cup. https://t.co/huWHNZUC38
— Caught Offside (@COsoccerpod) June 16, 2022
A lot of NFL stadiums represented… https://t.co/Ph0dGPdPde
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 16, 2022
World Cup coming to @HardRockStadium https://t.co/K7BF5IpZYo
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) June 16, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.