MetLife Stadium will host the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 19, 2026, where the world champion will be crowned. The venue is scheduled for eight matches during the expanded tournament. New York City's soccer history adds excitement to the upcoming event.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has been selected to host the decisive final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match is set for July 19, 2026, marking the culmination of the tournament featuring an expanded field of teams. This will be one of eight games played at the stadium, highlighting its role in the global event.
New York City, known as the City That Never Sleeps, has a rich soccer heritage that sets the stage for this milestone. In the summer of 2025, the city hosted parts of the FIFA Club World Cup, with MetLife Stadium serving as the site for the final. There, English Premier League club Chelsea defeated Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain 3-0.
Soccer's presence in the region dates back further. Major League Soccer franchises New York Red Bulls and New York City FC have been instrumental in the league's inception and growth. In women's soccer, NY/NJ Gotham FC claimed the NWSL championship in 2023. Even earlier, Brazilian legend Pelé elevated New York soccer by joining the New York Cosmos in the 1970s during the North American Soccer League era.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to draw a large influx of fans to experience New York City's culture alongside the matches. As the world turns its attention to MetLife Stadium next summer, a new champion will emerge in this historic setting.