On Thursday, nearly four years to the day after it was announced that the men’s World Cup would return to the United States and Mexico (and come to Canada for the first time) in 2026, 16 host cities were announced as venues for the first-ever 48-team tournament.
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11 American venues were selected, with five located in the eastern third (despite FIFA’s interpretation of Atlanta), three in the central part of the country and three more in the west. Two Canadian cities (Toronto and Vancouver) will host World Cup matches for the first time. A pair of Mexican cities (Mexico City and Guadalajara) will host the World Cup for the third time (1970 and 1986) while Monterrey was chosen for the second time.
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Below is the full list of cities selected as host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico…
Which 16 venues were selected as host cities for the 2026 World Cup?
Atlanta–Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Boston–Gillette Stadium See the article : 2022 MLB Home Run Derby: Selecting the appropriate eight slugger field for Dodger Stadium display.
Dallas–AT&T Stadium
Houston – NRG Stadium
Kansas City–Arrowhead Stadium
2026 World Cup format and qualification
Los Angeles – SoFi Stadium See the article : SI’s Top 10: Basketball Schools Shine in Week 3, But the Big Ten Isn’t.
Miami – Hard Rock Stadium
New York/New Jersey – MetLife Stadium
Philadelphia–Lincoln Financial Field
San Francisco – Levi’s Stadium
Seattle–Lumen Field
Toronto – BMO field
Vancouver – BC Place
Guadalajara – Estadio Akron
Mexico City – Estadio Azteca
Monterrey – Estadio BBVA
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With 23 venues vying for 16 spots, a number of notable cities (and venues) were snubbed. This may interest you : Results of the 50th Session of the UN Human Rights Council – United States Department of State. Washington D.C., the nation’s capital (in a joint bid with Baltimore, where games would have been played), was not selected.
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The Rose Bowl, where the 1994 World Cup final was played, was also not chosen with Los Angeles having two stadiums as options; SoFi Stadium, home of the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, was selected. Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville and Orlando were the other US cities to miss out on the 2026 World Cup, along with Canada’s Edmonton.
Key storylines
Now that we know the host cities, stadiums and venues for the 2026 World Cup, let’s talk about the tournament itself…
First and foremost, as host nations, it is believed (but not confirmed) that the USA, Canada and Mexico will all automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
In-form players to keep an eye on
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The WC in 2026 will be the first tournament with 48 teams divided into 16 groups of three. Each team will play two group stage matches (down one from three), with the 1st and 2nd places advancing to the Round of 32. It will also be the first World Cup to be played across three different host nations.
Arsenal team news, injuries, lineup options
The idea behind adding 16 teams is that one round of group stage matches is eliminated and replaced by an additional round of win-or-go-home matches in the knockout rounds.
West Ham team news, injuries, lineup options
Given that the final round of group stage play may carry very little, if any, weight pending previous results, the new format will guarantee that almost every game in the 2026 World Cup is hugely important.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp and the Reds hope to begin their climb toward the top-four when the Premier League returns to Villa Park on Boxing Day (Monday, Dec. 26 – watch live, 12:30 pm ET on NBC and online via NBCSports.com). STREAM LIVE ASTON VILLA vs LIVERPOOL
STREAM LIVE ASTON VILLA vs LIVERPOOL
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Yes, FIFA will make a lot more money by changing the format, but fans will also be treated to a better quality product, from start to finish, with even more global superstars from “smaller” national teams than ever before.
Premier League leaders Arsenal host West Ham in a London derby on Boxing Day as Mikel Arteta’s men aim to get off to a flying start on the restart.
The Gunners have a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after the opening 14 games of the season and have lost just once and drawn once so far, winning the other 12. However, Arteta has been dealt a major injury blow at the World Cup with Gabriel Jesus ruled out and it will be exciting to see if Arsenal can just pick up where they left off six weeks ago. All eyes will be on the north Londoners over the next few months as Arteta’s young side prepare for a title challenge, but a few key injuries could quickly derail them.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Liverpool live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12:30 pm ET, Monday, Dec. 26 (Boxing Day)TV channel: TBAOnline: Stream via TBA
Key storylines & star players
As for the Hammers, David Moyes’ side have struggled in the Premier League this season, but is that perhaps because they have prioritized the UEFA Europa Conference League? They are stacked with talent and at times have looked like the team that finished sixth and seventh respectively in the last two seasons. Their main problem has been making defensive mistakes which is something they need to cut out.
Here’s everything you need to know for Arsenal vs West Ham.
Aston Villa team news, injuries, lineup options
Liverpool team news, injuries, lineup options
Kickoff: 3pm ET, Monday (December 26) TV Channel: PeacockOnline: Stream via Peacock Premium
Manchester City’s bid to win a third-straight Premier League Trophy gets kickstarted by a visit to Leeds United at Elland Road (watch live, 3pm ET Wednesday Dec. 28 on USA Network and online via NBCSports.com).
As we said, how Arsenal deal with the loss of Gabriel Jesus is key. The Brazilian striker suffered a knee injury during the World Cup and has undergone surgery. He will be missed for the next few months. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah will be tasked with replacing him up top and that is a big ask, and the Gunners could look to the January window for a stop-gap solution. Jesus hasn’t scored the goals, but his link-up play allows Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard to flourish. Apart from the Jesus injury, everything is looking pretty good for Arsenal and now it’s about seeing if they can regain the momentum they had in the first months of the season.
STREAM LIVE LEEDS vs MANCHESTER CITY
For West Ham, it is about kicking on to get a top 10 position again. David Moyes’ side are just one point above the relegation zone and are yet to find consistent form or find their best combinations in midfield and attack. The Hammers rely heavily on Declan Rice, while Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen need to regain the form of recent seasons. The additions of Gianluca Scamacca and Lucas Paqueta have not worked out so far. Having Nayef Aguerd fit again will be a huge boost and should strengthen them defensively.
Saka was sensational in the World Cup for England, while Arsenal’s starting four will actually be well rested as between Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Oleksandr Zinchenko, only Saliba played in the World Cup and that was for 27 minutes. Arsenal’s midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are so important, while there will be a lot of pressure on Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli and Fabio Vieira to plug the gap left by the injury to Jesus.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Leeds vs Manchester City.
West Ham need Declan Rice to bring their World Cup form to the Premier League, while Jarrod Bowen has looked sharp in his mid-season matches. Again, the most important thing is to get better defensively and Aguerd had a nice World Cup for Morocco and now he’s fit, it’s a massive boost for West Ham.
How to watch Leeds vs Manchester City live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Wednesday Dec. 28TV Channel: USA NetworkOnline: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & (young) star players
William Saliba could come straight back in after being in the World Cup with France, while Gabriel Jesus is the only major injury concern. Emile Smith Rowe is working his way back to full fitness, while Oleksandr Zinchenko missed the friendly defeat to Juventus.
Gianluca Scamacca picked up an injury in the friendly at Fulham, while Kurt Zouma was absent following his recent knee injury and Michail Antonio was also absent.
Leeds team news, injuries, lineup options
It was, by Liverpool’s own lofty standards, a disastrous first half of the season. The Reds (22 points) managed to climb to 6th place with wins just before the 2022 World Cup break, but they sit seven points behind 4th place Tottenham at the restart.
Manchester City team news, injuries, lineup options
As for Aston Villa (18 points), (almost) disaster also applies. Steven Gerrard won just two of 11 games to start the season and he was shown the door on 20 October. Unai Emery took over on 1 November and led Villa to victories of their own, over 5th-placed Manchester United and 7th-placed Brighton, to finish 12th in the table after 15 games.
An old rivalry is renewed at the Premier League level for the first time in nearly a quarter-century when Manchester United hosts Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford (watch live, 3pm ET Tuesday Dec. 27 on USA Network and online via NBCSports.com).
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Aston Villa vs Liverpool.
STREAM LIVE MANCHESTER UNITED vs NOTTINGHAM FOREST
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Despite the arrival of Darwin Nunez this summer, Roberto Firmino is enjoying a renaissance season as he leads Liverpool with seven goals, closely followed by Mohamed Salah (6) and Nunez (5). Firmino, who scored just five PL goals in 20 games last season, became only a regular starter again after Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich in the summer and Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota picked up injuries which limited them to just 12 appearances between them .
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest.
Emery’s appointment marked a definite turning point, not just in terms of results, but the performance and tactical competence of a team that had won just three of 13 games and conceded 20 goals before his arrival. There was a 3-0 defeat at Fulham (Gerrard’s last game) and a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle (last game before Emery took over) in nine miserable days at the end of October, but hope has already been restored by a man who has won four Europa League trophies in the last 10 years – a massive coup for the club.
How to watch Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Tuesday Dec. 27TV Channel: USA NetworkOnline: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & (young) star players
OUT: Luis Diaz (knee), Diogo Jota (thigh), Arthur Melo (thigh)
Man City will have benefited from a home defeat against Brentford in the month and a half before this game kicks off, while Leeds are coming off the back of a 4-3 defeat against Tottenham.
Manchester United team news, injuries, lineup options
Man City have won four of the last five Premier League campaigns and a ninth PL title which would bring them level with Everton for the fourth most top-flight crowns in English football history.
Nottingham Forest team news, injuries, lineup options
Leeds have three of those, the last coming in 1992, but they are likely to settle for a comfortable enough finish outside the bottom three.
How many teams from CONCACAF go to World Cup in 2026?
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What will City look like after a lot of time away? Probably not too far from his usual self, especially as Erling Haaland is well rested, Kevin De Bruyne is more rested than expected and the Blues will have spent six weeks looking at a table that says they are five points behind Liverpool Arsenal. Still getting used to the whole sentence structure.
Who will automatically qualify for 2026 World Cup?
Jesse Marsch’s Leeds beat Liverpool and Bournemouth before the exciting but unsuccessful loss to Tottenham. USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams is yet to return to Leeds’ lineup, but Brenden Aaronson returned in a 2-1 win over Real Sociedad and impressed. He will join Rodrigo, Marc Roca and Jack Harrison as a key component the rest of the way.
How many teams qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
QUESTIONABLE: Patrick Bamford (groin), Illan Meslier (illness), Junior Firpo (groin). OUT: Tyler Adams (suspension), Stuart Dallas (thigh), Luis SInisterra (ankle), Archie Gray (ankle).
How will CONCACAF qualifying work in 2026?
No known damage issues. Aymeric Laporte is in the World Cup with France while Julian Alvarez is in the final with Argentina.
- Both Man Utd and Forest went into the World Cup break in winning ways, but well below their preferred Premier League station.
- The hosts have moved up the table after a slow start to life under manager Erik ten Hag. Man United are in fifth place, three points from the top four with a game in hand on half the bag.
- Forest have failed to climb out of the bottom three, but have lost just once in their last five games under Steve Cooper. Tricky Trees is one point behind the 16th and 17th place sides, and two behind 15th Erik
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- Officially free from Cristiano Ronaldo distractions, who would look even more free without the Portuguese GOAT and newer club albatross around? Our bets are Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, but Jadon Sancho and Antony could shine more too.
- Forest beat Valencia in a friendly on 16 December, with Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis among the goals. Both strikers who consistently shoot forward, but Tricky Trees nicely over the drop zone very, very soon.
What country will host the 2034 World Cup?
QUESTIONABLE: Raphael Varane (participation in the World Cup final), Lisandro Martinez (participation in the World Cup final), Diogo Dalot (hoarding). OUT: Mason Greenwood (indefinite suspension), Axel Tuanzebe (other).
QUESTIONABLE: Harry Toffolo (thigh), Neco Williams (head), Omar Richards (lower leg). OUT: Giulian Biancone (knee), Cheikhou Kouyate (thigh), Moussa NIakhate (thigh).
Which country will host 2038 World Cup?
Each confederation earns multiple places in a 48-team tournament, including Oceania which goes from an automatic place in an inter-confederation play-off to an automatic place in the tournament. Asia moves to eight teams and Africa nine. CONCACAF will have six teams – including hosts USA, Canada and Mexico – for 2026.
Will Australia ever host a World Cup?
| How many CONCACAF teams will qualify in 2026? Europe’s representation will also be strengthened, up to 16 teams from 13, while South America will increase from 4.5 qualifying places to six. With Canada, the United States and Mexico qualified as hosts, CONCACAF will have three more spots, for a total of six teams from the region. | First and foremost, as host nations, it is believed (but not confirmed) that the USA, Canada and Mexico will all automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The 2026 World Cup will be the first tournament with 48 teams divided into 16 groups of three. |
|---|---|
| For the first time since the 1998 tournament in France, the 2026 World Cup will be bigger than the previous edition. Co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States will welcome 48 teams to the quadrennial, a 50 percent increase over Qatar 2022. | The six slots designated as “1/3” will make up an intercontinental playoff for the final two berths at the 2026 World Cup. As hosts, CONCACAF received an additional 1/3 slot….More teams from each confederation |
| AFC: 8. 1/3 | CAF: 9. 1/3 |
| CONCACAF: 61/3 1/3 | CONMEBOL: 6. 1/3 |
| OFC: 1. 1/3 | UEFA: 16. |
Which country will host 2030 World Cup?
Australia (potentially with Indonesia and/or New Zealand)
Where are the 2026 World Cup cities?
Will India host the 2034 FIFA World Cup? The FIFA World Cup is the most anticipated sporting event. The upcoming FIFA Club World Cup will be held this year in Qatar.
Who will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup?
Ghana. Ghana is planning an ambitious bid to host the 2038 FIFA World Cup as part of its 40-year national development plan, developed by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). The Director General of NDPC, Dr.
Where will be 2030 World Cup?
Stadium (official bid name)
