FIFA plans to appoint host cities for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico by the last quarter of 2021, the sport’s governing body announced Tuesday.
Candidate Host Cities
There are currently 23 candidate host cities for the quadrennial global soccer tournament. There are currently three candidates apiece in Canada and Mexico, while the United States has put forth 17 options:
- Edmonton
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Guadalajara
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Cincinnati
- Dallas
- Denver
- Houston
- Kansas City
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Nashville
- "New York/New Jersey"
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- "San Francisco Bay Area"
- Seattle
- Washington
The field will be narrowed to 16 cities before games get underway. Learn more about each candidate host city on FIFA.com
Timeline
The COVID-19 pandemic has complicated the selection process, with FIFA and host associations planning to start targeted virtual discussions with each candidate host city in April 2021. FIFA and host associations are planning to start in-person venue visits in July 2021, though they’ll only occur if health and safety allows.
Potential host cities have already held virtual information exchanges, with FIFA is hoping to make greater progress this year. The 2026 World Cup, in addition to being held across three North American countries, will include 48 teams for the first time.
