"The FIFA World Cup returns to North America in 2026, and this time the history is not just repeating itself. It's being rewritten. The highly anticipated competition kicks off at the Estadio Azteca on June 11, when football embarks on its most ambitious tournament yet. With 48 teams, 104 matches, three host nations, and 16 cities stretched across a continent where the beautiful game has been steadily, defiantly, carving out its place in the sporting consciousness,"
"Memories of the 1994 World Cup are still echoing strong, with pastel kits and indoor stadiums creating a sun-drenched, slightly surreal spectacle that ultimately delivered record attendance and Brazil's redemption. Three decades onwards and the infrastructure is sleeker, the stakes are higher, and the ticket prices...well, they're stratospheric. Category 1 seats for the final at MetLife Stadium will set you back £5,313 ($6,730), making this the most expensive World Cup in history."
"Yet for all the commercial excess, there remains something exciting about the prospect of football's greatest show unfolding in stadiums built for American football, in cities where supporters groups have created their own football culture from scratch. From Seattle's perpetually sodden Sounders faithful to Atlanta's record-breaking crowds at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, this tournament will test whether the world's game can truly take root in North America's most competitive sports market. The FIFA World Cup 2026 logistics are daunting."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup returns to North America, kicking off at Estadio Azteca on June 11. The tournament features 48 teams, 104 matches, three host nations, and games across 16 cities. The event reflects changed infrastructure and higher stakes compared with 1994, alongside dramatically increased ticket prices, with Category 1 final seats at MetLife Stadium costing £5,313 ($6,730). Several matches will take place in stadiums designed for American football, and active supporters groups have cultivated local football cultures. Matches span three time zones and vast distances; the United States will host 78 matches while Mexico and Canada share the remainder, creating travel opportunities and logistical challenges for international fans.
Read at Soccer News
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