FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a bold forecast on Thursday when the football governing body announced the host cities for the 2026 World Cup.
The World Cup 2026 will be held for the first time in three countries. The United States, Mexico, and Canada will host one of the largest sporting events in the world. Infantino said he predicted that football would be the biggest game on the continent at the time.
“By the year 2026, football – like football – will be the number one game in this part of the world,” FIFA President said.
The NFL, and even college football, dominate the airwaves and professional football never seems to stop the amount of coverage of the sport from month to month.
The NFL averaged 17.1 million viewers for television and digital broadcasting in 2021, while the 2018 World Cup in Russia averaged 5.04 million on American television in English and Spanish.
“You lead the world in many areas. The goal should be to lead the world, even in Game No. 1 in the world,” said President Gianni Infantino of North America. CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani, who heads the regional governing body, added: “I know it’s giggling and ridiculous. He’s not kidding.
OPENING OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP GAME, WHICH WILL BE OPEN IN THE 3 COUNTRIES’ TOURNAMENT
The places are divided into three regions.
Central Region
- Kansas City, Missouri (Arrowhead Stadium)
- Arlington, Texas (AT&T Stadium)
- Atlanta, Georgia (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
- Houston, Texas (NRG Stadium)
- Monterrey, Mexico (Estadio BBVA)
- Mexico City, Mexico (Estadio Azteca)
Western Region
- Vancouver, Canada (B.C. Palace)
- Seattle, Washington (Lumen Field)
- Santa Clara, California (Levi’s Stadium)
- Los Angeles, California (SoFi Stadium)
- Guadalajara, Mexico (Estadio Akron)
Eastern Region
- Toronto, Canada (BMO Field)
- Foxborough, Massachusetts (Gillette Stadium)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Lincoln Financial Field)
- Miami Gardens, Florida (Hard Rock Stadium)
- East Rutherford, New Jersey (MetLife Stadium)
This is the first World Cup in 48 countries, an increase over the 32-team system used since 1998. There are 16 teams in three countries. Each team will play two matches instead of three in the first round and one country in the group will open against an already playing opponent.
