MetLife Stadium to host 2026 World Cup Final: FIFA
The 2026 World Cup final will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
FIFA made the announcement Sunday at a Miami television studio, allocating the opener of the 39-day tournament to Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on June 11.
"As a lifelong soccer fan, I am thrilled to announce that the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final will be hosted by New Jersey and New York City!" Governor Phil Murphy said in a post on X Sunday afternoon.
FOX 5 NY's Kendall Green caught up with Murphy who says it’s a grand slam for the entire region just moments after the big reveal.
"It’s a huge deal, huge deal for the region I want to thank my partner, Mayor Adams of New York City and his team, our team on the Jersey side," Murphy said.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JULY 22: A general exterior view of the Met Life Stadium the home of NFL New York Giants and Jets during the pre season friendly between Arsenal and Manchester Untied at MetLife Stadium on July 22, 2023 in East Rutherfor
N-Y-N-J submitted their final bid to host on Friday and celebrated the success just days later, already looking forward to the countdown.
"It’s gonna be huge both leading up to it, the game itself and for the many years that’ll follow," Murphy said.
Hosting the final of the tournament, dubbed as 104 superbowls, wrapped up about a month's time — predicted to rake in billions for the region.
"We are extraordinarily pleased. New York City combined with New Jersey. This is the best place in the world. There was no other place to be,"Adams administration chief of staff, Camille Joseph Varlick said.
The U.S. team will play its opener at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 12, then travel to Seattle’s Lumen Field and finish the group stage at SoFi.
The third-place game will be at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.