In 2022, the FIFA World Cup did not even begin in Qatar, but the headlines were already talking about 2026. The year is a significant one for the USA, which will celebrate its 250th anniversary on the 4th of July. Three years ago, it was also announced as one of the hosts for the FIFA World Cup along with Mexico and Canada. The enthusiasm, no doubt, was off the charts. And we can understand why.

FOX Sports put it perfectly when they said, “A World Cup changes people, cities, communities, cultures, and it certainly changes countries.” For the USA, it happened in their very first and only hosting experience to date. Back in 1994, when Brazil lifted the trophy, a record of 3,587,538 spectators became part of the celebration. Just two years later, America welcomed Major League Soccer in the spring. Today, the culture has only grown with the evolution of MLS and NWSL. So, hosting the world again with the 48-team expanded format makes sense.

The venues for the event were already announced in 2022, which included Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. They had also made it clear that the capacity to host and the ability to showcase the American soccer culture would be the top factors in choosing the venues. Still, not everyone is happy as FIFA dropped its latest update.

Soccer analyst Alexi Lalas tweeted the list of games each country and its city will be hosting, writing, “2026 FIFA Word Cup. 104 games.” According to him, this is the final list:

• United States (78 games)
  • Dallas (9)
  • New York (8)
  • Los Angeles (8)
  • Atlanta (8)
  • Houston (7)
  • Miami (7)
  • Boston (7)
  • San Francisco (6)
  • Seattle (6)
  • Kansas City (6)
  • Philadelphia (6)
• Mexico (13 games)
  • Mexico City (5)
  • Guadalajara (4)
  • Monterrey (4)
• Canada (13 games)
  • Vancouver (7)
  • Toronto (6)

Notably, a total of 16 stadiums have been selected for the tournament — the most since the 2002 edition in Korea/Japan — featuring some iconic and world-class venues. USA’s Dallas leads in the number of matches held because of its impressive youth football system and experience in hosting major events like the Super Bowl. While cities like Kansas City are also included in the schedule for their growing soccer culture and the exciting sports fan base.

As for the other two neighboring nations, Mexico’s FIFA World Cup fixtures will take place at Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), Estadio Guadalajara, and Estadio Monterrey. Canada will host matches at Toronto Stadium and BC Place in Vancouver.

There will be many firsts in 2026 for FIFA, including the expanded team format that will change from the 32-team format that has existed since 1998 to 48 teams. It will also be the first time that three North American countries will be sharing the hosting duties.

While some are not happy with the finalized list of venues, in 2022 itself, the CONCACAF president and Canadian Victor Montagliani promised that other cities would be approached with opportunities for cultural events and fan fests around the World Cup.

FIFA’s chief tournaments and events officer, Colin Smith, also made the statement, “We’ll be engaging with all the cities so that not only the 16 we chose today, and not only the cities that were not successful, but in fact all the cities across these three countries celebrate the World Cup.” Many fans still aren’t on board.

US Soccer fans question the 2026 FIFA World Cup venues

There are over 50 states in the United States of America. One could argue that with 104 games on the schedule — even after excluding the 13 matches each set to be hosted by Canada and Mexico — there are still enough fixtures within the remaining 78 games to stage at least one in nearly every state. Yet, FIFA has chosen just 11 host cities across the U.S., and that’s added to fan frustration.

One FIFA fan wrote down their disbelief, “Still can’t believe there’s not a single game played in the Midwest. Excited to go to Toronto!” While a Canadian break in the hot summers of the US made this follower happy, they wanted at least some in the Midwest. With fan bases like Indiana and Iowa, there’s no doubt that the Midwest loves sports. But again, even Washington, DC and Baltimore were snubbed.

While fans who get to watch the games in their hometowns or nearby venues are pleased with FIFA’s decision, others — whose cities or states won’t host a single match — have voiced their frustration. Just imagine: would you travel more than 500 miles just to attend a game? Well, one fan discovered he might have to: “Closest game to me: 548 miles,” he wrote.

This fan from Colorado also believes that FIFA’s city selection was a missed opportunity. Denver is a thriving sports hub that could’ve easily handled the global spotlight. The city already supports a strong soccer culture with the MLS side Colorado Rapids and is set to welcome the NWSL’s Denver Summit in 2026. With all that going for it, it’s no surprise that fans were left scratching their heads over Denver’s absence from the host city list: “Denver getting left out was such a shame.”

Now, one could give FIFA and U.S. Soccer the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps their decisions also factored in weather conditions, fan accessibility, or even team logistics like travel efficiency and minimizing jet lag. That may be why they concentrated matches in a limited number of locations.

Still, one fan was left baffled by the omission of Phoenix, especially given the capabilities of Glendale’s stadium, “I’m surprised there’s no Glendale (phx). Hot? Yes, but really grass under the roof. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?” But again, with the valley’s heat and welcoming a huge crowd into Phoenix, despite the sports culture, might not have been the best decision.

While many fans are upset about their hometowns being left out of the World Cup festivities, this reaction takes the opposite stance. Instead of being upset with a city’s exclusion, this fan is baffled by Kansas City making the cut, especially considering the region’s notoriously harsh summer conditions. “Those KC games will be absolutely brutal. The heat will be unbearable. What a ridiculous choice to have games there.” 

Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium, home of the KC Chiefs of the NFL, has a capacity of 76,416 and has hosted a loyal fanbase of their NFL team. Although it will require some renovations, it is going to host six matches, including a quarter-final. The stadium marks all the ticks for FIFA, and the fans add to the spirit of the sport. So, no doubt, this was also one of the chosen venues.

Be that as it may, this is just a glimpse of the reactions, because for every group of fans celebrating their city getting picked, there’s an equally vocal crowd displeased over not seeing theirs on the list. Regardless, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be bigger and better, and surely, fans will show up to support and experience their teams winning. Share your views in the comments!