The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT. This announcement follows FIFA's schedule release for the tournament's 104 matches, a day after the World Cup groups were drawn. The timing is designed to accommodate prime-time viewing in Europe, where the match will air at 9 p.m. CET and 8 p.m. in Britain.
The choice of MetLife Stadium, which FIFA will refer to as "New York New Jersey Stadium" due to sponsorship policies, underscores the significance of the New York City metropolitan area as a focal point for the tournament. The stadium, home to the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL), has a seating capacity of 82,500. It has previously hosted major sporting events, including Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 and the Copa América Centenario final in 2016.
FIFA's decision to schedule an afternoon match considers several factors, including recovery time for players, climate, and travel distances. According to AccuWeather, the average temperature in East Rutherford at 3 p.m. on July 19 is 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius), with a RealFeel index of 89 (32). Historically, nine of the ten World Cup finals from 1978 to 2014 began between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. EDT.
The 2026 World Cup marks the first time three nations will jointly host the event: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament will also be the first to feature 48 teams, expanded from 32 in previous editions. The 48 teams will be divided into twelve groups of four, with the top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 32. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 venues in the three host countries. The opening match will take place in Mexico City on June 11, 2026, with Mexico facing South Africa. Canada will play their opening match in Toronto on June 12, and the United States will begin their campaign on the same day in Los Angeles.
MetLife Stadium will host a total of eight matches, including five group stage matches, one round of 32 match, one round of 16 match, and the final. Other matches at MetLife Stadium include Brazil vs. Morocco on June 13, France vs. Senegal on June 16, Norway vs. Senegal on June 22, Ecuador vs. Germany on June 25, and Panama vs. England on June 27.
The 2026 World Cup schedule is designed to minimize travel for teams and fans and maximize rest days between matches. According to FIFA chief tournament officer Manolo Zubiria, the schedule balances team preparation and recovery, the tournament's large geographic footprint, and diverse climate conditions and time zones.
