We now know, and of which cities and stadiums will host the 2026 tournament?The 16 venues are the most ever for a single World Cup, and for good reason.After the winter of 2022, the 2026 tournament will be the largest ever, and will begin with three countries co-hosting the tournament that will expand from 32 to 48 teams.The last time the tournament was held in North America, only nine cities hosted the tournament. Next up, 424 Sports will predict the teams that are likely to be selected for the
of several stadiums!
Kansas City (Arrowhead Stadium)
This bid seems to be on a shaky edge. Kansas City has hosted a number of U.S. internationals in the past few years, but it is not a U.S. showcase city. Additionally, the geography of the other bids puts KC in the middle of the East Coast/West Coast split. Kansas City has a tough road ahead of it, but there are reports that FIFA's opinion of Kansas City's bid is on the rise.
Orlando (Camping World Stadium)
While Orlando has proven its worth as a marketplace over the years, especially at the smaller Exploria Stadium, which is home to the city's MLS and NWSL teams, there's no chance for the pomp and glamor that Miami offers down the road. It's a testament to the fans and the city that it even made it through the bidding process, but there's not enough meat on the bone for FIFA to care about more than just a good atmosphere for the games.
Denver (Empower Field at Mile High)
While Mile High is a gorgeous venue, and Denver offers the perfect combination of a big market and great scenery, there's one factor preventing that bid: altitude (5,280 feet/1,610 meters). From an athletic standpoint, the World Cup is unlikely to open the can of worms for height presentations, with teams flying over the continent in short order, and the Aztecs in particular (7,200 feet/2,200 meters) virtually assured a spot.
