SANTA MONICA — The World Cup is coming to North America for the first time since 1994. FIFA announced it’s acceptance of the United States, Mexico and Canada’s combined bid to host the 2026 World Cup, having been suede by the promise of an $11 billion profit for FIFA and record crowds.
In a lopsided vote, the North American bid toppled Morocco — it’s sole challenger — 134 to 65. A big moment for the United States who lost the bid to Qatar in 2010 for the 2022 World Cup. However, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has a demand only North America appears interested and capable of filling.
The tournament in 2026 will be expanded from 32 teams to 48, spreading the competition out across the three countries. The US will play host to the majority of the matches. It will play host to 60 of the 80 games while Canada and Mexico will take 10 each. The tournament will conclude with the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N. J.
The 2026 will play host to quite a few first too. It’ll be the first time the tournament will have 48 competitors, the first time the tournament will be hosted by three countries and the first time Canada will host the World Cup. The U.S. host the cup in 1994 while Mexico has hosted it twice in 1970 and 1986.
North America offered a ready-to-go infrastructure for the major soccer tournament with little to no need to build on to support the tournament. The trio offered 23 stadiums as potential venues for the tournament as well as a number of pre-established training sites, hotels, airports and ground traveling accommodations.
