1994 to 2026: The American World Cup host cities and venues, then and now

In 2026, the World Cup returns to the United States for the first time in 32 years.

For many reasons, 2026 will be much different. For starters, the U.S. is now a co-host along with Mexico and Canada instead of hosting the tournament on its own.

The event will also feature twice as many teams. The 2026 World Cup will be the first with 48 teams, while the 1994 World Cup was the last with 24.

And of course, the host cities and venues will be different as well. Only five cities that hosted games in 1994 will also host in 2026. And none of the same stadiums will be used.

Let’s look at how the American World Cup host cities and venues have changed over time. We’ll start with the cities that only hosted in 1994, then go on to the cities that hosted both years, and finish with cities who will host for the first time in 2026.

Chicago

The nation’s third largest city hosted five matches in 1994 at Soldier Field, including the tournament opener, but it pulled out of the running for 2026 amid concerns over FIFA’s financial demands of host cities.

Detroit

The Pontiac Silverdome hosted four matches in 1994, making history as the first indoor venue to host a World Cup game. In 2026, a Detroit bid that included Ford Field was dropped early in the process.

Washington D.C.

RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. hosted five matches in the 1994 World Cup. In a stunning omission, the nation’s capital was snubbed in 2026 after its bid was merged with Baltimore.

Orlando

The Citrus Bowl in Orlando hosted five games in 1994, including a round-of-16 match. The same venue, now known as Camping World Stadium, was among the finalists in 2026 but it missed the cut, likely due to FIFA selecting Miami instead.

San Francisco/Bay Area

In 1994, Stanford Stadium on the campus of Stanford University hosted six matches, including the last-16 match between the U.S. and Brazil and the quarterfinal between Romania and Sweden.

In 2026, Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers will host games in the Bay Area. The stadium is located in Santa Clara, about 42 miles from downtown San Francisco.

Los Angeles

In 1994, the Rose Bowl in Pasadena hosted eight games, including two of three USMNT group-stage games, a last-16 game, the semifinal between Brazil and Sweden, and the final between Brazil and Italy.

In 2026, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood will be the Los Angeles venue. Built in 2020, the state-of-the-art stadium is home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers.

Dallas

In 1994, the Cotton Bowl hosted six games, including a round-of-16 match and the quarterfinal between the Netherlands and Brazil.

In 2026, the scene will shift to Arlington and AT&T Stadium, the massive home of the Dallas Cowboys. With a capacity of more than 92,000, it will be a candidate for a semifinal or the final itself.

New York/New Jersey

In 1994, Giants Stadium was the host for seven matches, including a last-16 game, a quarterfinal, and the semifinal between Italy and Bulgaria.

In 2026, MetLife Stadium will host matches and will be a candidate for the final as well. Home to the NFL’s Giants and Jets, it was built next door to where the old Giants Stadium once stood.

Boston

In 1994, Foxboro Stadium hosted six matches, including a round-of-16 match and a quarterfinal between Italy and Spain.

In 2026, Gillette Stadium will be the Boston-area host for World Cup matches. Built adjacent to the old Foxboro Stadium, it is home to the New England Revolution and New England Patriots like its predecessor was.

Seattle

The World Cup will come to the Pacific Northwest for the first time in 2026 as Lumen Field, home to the Seattle Sounders and Seattle Seahawks, will host matches.

Kansas City

Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, home to the NFL’s Chiefs, will host matches in 2026.

Houston

Unlike in 1994, there will be a second Texas host in 2026 as NRG Stadium in Houston made the cut. The home of the Houston Texans has a retractable roof, which will be a major plus amid the heat of a Texas summer.

Atlanta

It’s been quite the rise for Atlanta, which would have been a complete afterthought as a soccer city in 1994. Now the home to one of the most successful franchises in MLS in Atlanta United, the Georgia capital was an absolute lock to host games in 2026 due to its status as a soccer hub and the state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia put together an impressive presentation to FIFA, ensuring its status as a host city in 2026. Lincoln Financial Field, the home to the NFL’s Eagles, will be the venue with the city even reportedly in the running for a quarterfinal or semifinal.