For the First Time Ever, the 2026 World Cup Final Will Take Place on the East Coast

It's time for some FOOOOOTBALL.

Not American football, that is. I'm talking about footie. Soccer. The most popular sport in the world.

The last time the United States was a host country for the Men's World Cup was 30 years ago back in 1994.

Well in 2026, the United States, Mexico, and Canada will all be host countries for the Men's World Cup.

There are many cities and big stadiums slated to host games during the 2026 World Cup. However, the big news is the big game...the championship game. THE FINAL. (I'll get there).

Gillette Stadium is one of the host cities, which is wildly exciting for New England soccer fans. Gillette has seven games on the calendar.

The games at Gillette that are scheduled, according to a Boston Uncovered article, are:

Group stage games at Gillette:

• Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Tuesday, June 16, 2026
• Friday, June 19, 2026
• Tuesday, June 23, 2026
• Friday, June 26, 2026

Second-round game at Gillette:

• Monday, June 29, 2026

World Cup Quarterfinal at Gillette:

• Thursday, July 9, 2026

So back to the big game, the 2026 World Cup Final. The Final will take place at New Jersey's Met Life Stadium (the home stadium for the NY Jets and the NY Giants). It is less than a four-hour drive from Boston, MA if anyone from New England plans to try and get tickets.

And since it is the World Cup, and not American football, the turf stadium will even install a grass field in preparation for the final.

If you are curious about the other games being played in the US and other host countries, the “North American” World Cup tour will take place at 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Collectively, these stadiums will host 48 teams, the most in World Cup history, according to Boston Uncovered.

It will be the biggest and most inclusive World Cup. Below are all participating stadiums:

Eastern US (Coast and South):

• Gillette Stadium; Foxboro, Massachusetts (Quarterfinal)
• MetLife Stadium; East Rutherford, New Jersey (Final)
• Lincoln Financial Field; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Atlanta, Georgia (Semifinal)
• Hard Rock Stadium; Miami, Florida (Quarterfinal)

Central US:

• AT&T Stadium; Dallas (Arlington), Texas (Semifinal)
• NRG Stadium; Houston, Texas
• Arrowhead Stadium; Kansas City, Kansas (Quarterfinal)

West Coast:

• SoFi Stadium; Los Angeles (Inglewood), California (Quarterfinal)
• Levi’s Stadium; San Franciso (Santa Clara), California
• Lumen Field; Seattle, Washington

Mexico:

• Estadio Azteca; Mexico City, Mexico
• Estadio BBVA; Monterrey, Mexico
• Estadio Akron; Guadalajara, Mexico

Canada:

• BMO Field; Toronto, Canada
• BC Place; Vancouver, Canada