FIFA and host nations will use 16 stadiums, including several NFL venues, to host the 2026 World Cup [1].

This arrangement allows the tournament to accommodate massive crowds and maintain a wide geographic spread across three nations. Because the World Cup requires specific soccer-standard pitches, many American football arenas must undergo significant structural and surface modifications to qualify as viable venues.

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 8 to July 8, 2026 [5]. A total of 104 matches will be played across 16 cities in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico [2]. Notable venues include MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

"The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to be hosted by three nations," FIFA said in its official announcement.

To meet these standards, several NFL arenas are undergoing renovations. While some reports indicate 11 NFL arenas are being overhauled [4], other data suggests seven of the league's 30 venues are specifically pulling up turf to install natural grass [3]. These modifications are necessary because FIFA mandates soccer-specific standards for the playing surface.

"We are excited to bring the World Cup to iconic NFL venues," Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, said.

The transition to natural grass has not been without criticism from the athletes. One unnamed player said they wish the grass would stay after the temporary installations were completed [3].

Despite these concerns, the use of large-scale NFL stadiums ensures that the infrastructure can handle the expected influx of international fans. The scale of these venues is essential for the expanded format of the 2026 tournament, which requires more matches and larger seating capacities than previous editions.

“"The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first to be hosted by three nations,"”

The reliance on NFL stadiums highlights the logistical challenge of hosting a global tournament in North America, where few soccer-specific stadiums meet FIFA's capacity requirements. By modifying existing American football infrastructure, FIFA can maximize ticket revenue and visibility, though the temporary nature of the grass installations creates a tension between commercial utility and athlete preference for permanent high-quality pitches.