New Jersey to host 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, Mexico to play opener at Azteca on June 11

FIFA released the schedule of fixtures for the 2026 edition of its biggest competition on Monday. Notably, the biggest match in world football is scheduled to take place at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which is the official venue of the World Cup final. However, it is expected that the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest ever, comprising 104 matches and 48 nations competing for the coveted title.

Meanwhile, New Jersey will play host to the World Cup final on July 19. The New York Giants and New York Jets play their football games at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Mexico has a total of three games scheduled, which includes ten group-stage fixtures in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

Meanwhile, 11 American cities will host matches for the remainder of the 2026 World Cup Final. The FIFA World Cup opening fixtures for each national team have been assigned to Toronto, Mexico City, and Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium will host the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

When three FIFA World Cup editions are held at the Azteca between 1970 and 1986, it will become the first venue to do so. The FIFA World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986 took place at the Azteca.

It’s about making our nation proud: FIFA president

“The most inclusive and impactful FIFA World Cup ever is no longer a dream but a reality that will take shape in the form of 104 matches in 16 state-of-the-art stadiums across Canada, Mexico and the USA. It’s about making our nation proud,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino was quoted as saying.

“From the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca to the spectacular final in New York New Jersey, players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament… that will not only set new records but also leave an indelible legacy. If this were being played to just America and the United States, that wouldn’t have been such a formidable thing to overcome. But internationally, that’s formidable to overcome.,” he added further.