The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to New England
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make a stop through New England, as Boston has been named one of the 12 host cities for the largest soccer tournament in the world, as confirmed by FIFA on Thursday evening.
Boston will be part of the ‘East’ grouping that also includes Miami, New York-New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Toronto. Other U.S. host cities include Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Vancouver will join Toronto as a Canadian host city, while Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey will serve as host cities in Mexico.
FIFA evaluated each candidate host city based on city and state infrastructure, transportation (airports, train, roadways), human rights, stadium infrastructure, fan fest locations and training sites.
Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium will serve as the host for the ‘Boston’ games, according to FIFA, and will undergo a number of changes to adhere to FIFA regulations in time for the 2026 games.
The Boston Soccer 2026 committee who worked on the united Boston bid consists of representatives from the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Boston Sports Partnership, Kraft Sports & Entertainment and the New England Revolution.
“We are thrilled to welcome FIFA World Cup Soccer back to Massachusetts in 2026,” Governor Charlie Baker said. “The teams and their fans from around the world will be welcomed by the Commonwealth’s restaurants and attractions both in Boston and beyond and we are appreciative of Robert Kraft for his efforts as Honorary Chair of the United Bid to help bring the World Cup back to the United States, as well as the Boston Soccer 2026 Committee for its tireless work to secure Boston as a host city.”
“The City of Boston is excited to once again welcome the worldwide soccer community and visitors as the FIFA World Cup returns to Massachusetts,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We’re proud of our long legacy of championship teams and fans, and we’re ready to showcase our city to soccer fans around the world as they come to celebrate the beautiful game.”
The qualification process will take place between 2023 and 2025, with over 200 countries vying to qualify for the tournament. The draw will then take place in late 2025 or early 2026. Following the draw, FIFA will manage the ticket sales process and additional information will be shared at that time.
The 2026 World Cup will mark the first men’s World Cup contended in North America since 1994.