The FIFA World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest and most watched sporting event the U.S. has ever hosted. Hosted by three countries – the United States, Canada and Mexico, it will be the first to feature 48 teams, spread across impressive venues and cities.
The US is already getting prepared to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup by upgrading infrastructure, organizing FIFA Fan Festivals, and building momentum with top-tier sponsorship.
For fans and even those following from afar with sport betting sites in the Philippines, the excitement is palpable. Join Evelyn Balyton, the expert in international sports tourism and betting regulation, to explore the United States’ preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
How are the preparations for FIFA World Cup 26 going?
The U.S. is not new to hosting a major sporting event, but hosting the World Cup at this scale is a whole new game. This would be the first sports tournament to take place in a continent not a country. American cities are undergoing heavy upgrades, from Stadium in Arlington to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, adding digital tech, seating, and turf overhauls all on track. Basically, all the 2026 World Cup venues will be revamped.
FIFA announced 11 cities in the U.S. that would host the World Cup, but some matches will be played in the other countries, each investing in transport, accommodation, and fan experiences. Cities like Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco Bay Area, and Mexico City are coordinating with FIFA, national agencies and international bodies like the Oceania Football Confederation to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Branding
The U.S. decided to use simple FIFA 2026 World Cup branding, with a basic logo that has the trophy and a white number ‘26.’ The 2 is placed on the 6.
They are using the slogan, ‘WE ARE 26,’ to show unity and a shared experience among the three host countries. Every city is expected to roll out a localized brand theme, connecting their heritage to global football culture.
Broadcasting rights
Major networks such as Fox (U.S. English), NBCUniversal (U.S. Spanish), and Bell Media (Canada), have secured broadcasting rights to show the 2026 World Cup. Others like Telemundo and Peacock will also make sure fans across the world can follow every goal, card, and upset.
These agreements also cover localized content, tailored ads, and massive digital footprints, which makes streaming and live betting more immersive than ever.
Sponsorships
FIFA is expecting billions in sponsorship for the World Cup 2026, and is already working with diverse companies like Adidas, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Hisense, Lenovo, Qatar Airways, Aramco, Valvoline Global, Diageo and Home Depot.
Tech giants, telecom providers, and beverage companies have jumped in, with firms like Verizon leading innovations in connectivity inside stadiums. Viewers and football fans can expect more AR and 5G-powered features at venues like Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
FIFA Fan Festivals
FIFA Fan Festivals will be held in every host city, offering public viewing zones, live music, food stalls, and pop-up exhibits. These are official, free-to-attend events that offer opportunities for fans to celebrate and experience the best in football, music, entertainment, and local culture.
In these hubs, fans can also watch matches on big screens, and enjoy live viewing and betting. Whether you’re in Kansas City, Toronto, Vancouver, or Seattle, these spaces celebrate football and community spirit. If you’re following along from Asia, these events will be highlighted on sport betting sites in the Philippines, as recommended by the experts at MightyTips, allowing you to place bets on your favorite 2026 World Cup matches.
Symbols (Match ball)
Every World Cup has its signature match ball. The 2026 tournament will blend cutting-edge aerodynamics and cultural design elements, reflecting all three countries. The ball is designed and made by Adidas. FIFA has tagged it Trionda, based on the three host nations.
Tri stands for three, while Onda is translated to wave in Spanish and Portuguese. The color of the ball is red, green and blue. This symbol would be found on merchandise, apps, betting platforms, and stadium visuals, building identity.
Music
Fans already heard the official theme song in 2023, but in March 2025, there were sixteen remixes of the song released. Each one was by artists from each host city, giving their local spin to the song. This includes artists from Atlanta, Guadalajara, Houston, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Mexico City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, San Francisco Bay Area, Toronto, Vancouver, Boston, Dallas, Monterrey, Philadelphia and Seattle.
What’s more, for the first time in history, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, has announced that there would be a halftime music show organized during the World Cup final. In an Instagram post, he said, ‘This will be a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.‘
This is modeled after the Super Bowl, and will feature artists like Coldplay and global Latin pop icons, who have been rumored to take the stage.
Which Stadium will the 2026 FIFA World Cup take place?
Whether it’s the New Jersey stadium or venues in Mexico and Canada, all 104 matches of the World Cup would occur in three countries. The 2026 tournament will be held across 16 cities in North America, with 2 being in Canada and 3 in Mexico. As sports betting becomes more legal in the US, fans are looking forward to watching the tournament.
In Canada, BC Place, Vancouver and BMO Field, Toronto, are going to host early-round games. Mexico City will also host matches in Estadio Azteca, Guadalajara. In total, The World Cup in 2026 would take place in about 16 stadiums, with all teams divided into 12 groups of four. With two teams from each group playing, fans can watch till the finals.
World Cup 2026 Stadiums
The United States is expected to host most of the World Cup matches in 2026, whether it’s the group stages and third-place matches or the semifinals and finals. The world is excited, with the FIFA President saying, ‘One year from now, the greatest football show on the planet will definitely captivate the world like never before.’ These include the New York New Jersey stadium, and a stadium in Miami Gardens.
| City | Stadium | Notable Matches |
| East Rutherford | MetLife Stadium in New Jersey | Host the final and knockout stages. |
| Los Angeles | Sofi Stadium in Inglewood | Opening U.S. match, Knockouts |
| Dallas | AT&T Stadium in Arlington | Semifinal, Group stage |
| Atlanta | Mercedes Benz Stadium | Semifinal |
| Miami | Hard Rock Stadium | Third-place match |
| Kansas City | Arrowhead Stadium | Group and Round of 32 |
| Philadelphia | Lincoln Financial Field | Group and Round of 32 |
| Boston | Gillette Stadium | Group stage |
| Houston | NRG Stadium | Group and Knockouts |
| Seattle | Lumen Field in Seattle | Group stage |
| San Francisco | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara | Group Stage |
World Cup 2026 schedule
FIFA has already announced a brief overview of the 2026 schedule for the World Cup games. From the opening match to the finals, players can keep up with the schedule using the official FIFA site and online betting platforms. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect as 48 teams will compete in the World Cup stadiums:
- June 11: Opening match at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- June 11-27: 12 groups play per day.
- June 28 – July 3: Round of 32 teams.
- July 4-7: Round of 16
- July 9-11: Quarterfinals in Kansas City, Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles with the eight best teams.
- July 14-15: Semifinals in Dallas and Atlanta.
- July 18: Third-place playoff in Miami.
- July 19: Final in Metlife Stadium.
Conclusion
The US is building one of the biggest World Cups since 1970 and 1986. From mega stadiums and music spectacles to high-tech broadcasts and global fan festivals, everything is designed for top impact until the top two teams are left. And regardless of where you are, you can start betting on top sportsbook sites to see who will win the World Cup in North America. Let the countdown begin!