MetLife Stadium to Host Six FIFA World Cup Games Next Year
New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is set to be a prominent venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosting six crucial matches. The tournament will take place across various locations in North America, with MetLife Stadium scheduled to feature five games in June and the prestigious final match.
Scheduled Matches at MetLife Stadium
The following games are set to take place at MetLife Stadium:
- June 13, 2026 at 6 p.m. ET: Brazil vs. Morocco
- June 16, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET: France vs. Senegal
- June 22, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET: Norway vs. Senegal
- June 25, 2026 at 4 p.m. ET: Ecuador vs. Germany
- June 27, 2026 at 5 p.m. ET: Panama vs. England
The grand finale of the World Cup is slated for July 19, 2026, at 3 p.m. ET.
Ticket Sales for the FIFA World Cup
The next ticket sales phase, known as the Random Selection Draw, opens on December 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET. This will provide fans a chance to apply for individual match tickets linked to confirmed group-stage matchups.
FIFA announced that nearly two million tickets have already been sold to fans across 200 countries. This sales phase will feature fixed pricing, avoiding the dynamic pricing model that adjusts ticket costs based on demand.
World Cup Tournament Overview
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium. This tournament will be unprecedented, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches, with games held at various venues in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
U.S. Team’s Participation
The United States men’s national soccer team is scheduled to play its opening match against Paraguay in Inglewood, California, on June 12, 2026. Historically, the U.S. team last reached the semifinals in 1930, with their most recent quarterfinal appearance in 2002.
Potential Player Highlights
Soccer icon Lionel Messi has not confirmed his participation in this tournament, which would mark his sixth World Cup appearance at age 39. If Messi chooses to play, and both Argentina and Portugal emerge victorious in their groups, fans could witness a historic quarterfinal match against Cristiano Ronaldo at Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium.
