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World Cup 2026: MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to host World Cup final on 19 July

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MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the 2026 World Cup final on 19 July, while Azteca Stadium in Mexico City will stage the opening group game on 11 June.

MetLife Stadium in New Jersey

Mexico is one of three countries co-hosting the expanded 48-team tournament along with USA and Canada which will last a record 39 days.

They have hosted two World Cups in 1970 and 1986, while the US hosted in 1994.

Canada are first-time hosts and their opening game is in Toronto on 12 June.

The United States will play their opening match at So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles also on 12 June

The Azteca was the venue for Argentina striker Diego Maradona’s famous ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 2-1 win against England in the 1986 quarter-finals and has a capacity of 83,000.

MetLife Stadium, home to American football teams the New York Giants and New York Jets, is based in New Jersey’s East Rutherford and can hold 82,500 fans. It was one of the host stadiums for the 1994 World Cup.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino, alongside comedian and actor Kevin Hart, rapper Drake and celebrity Kim Kardashian, announced the plans on Sunday and also revealed the third-place play-off match will take place in Miami.

The quarter-finals onwards will be held in US cities, with Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami and Boston hosting last-eight matches, while the semi-finals will be in Dallas and Atlanta. Dallas will host a record nine matches.

The draw for the World Cup is expected to take place towards the end of 2025.

The tournament will last 10 more days than the 2022 edition in Qatar.

In total, 16 cities have been chosen including Monterrey and Guadalajara in Mexico, and Vancouver in Canada.

Philadelphia, Houston, Seattle and San Francisco are the other US host cities.

Only one city, Guadalajara, will not host a knockout game.

Teams are likely to face a large amount of travel between games.

The shortest distance between a quarter-final and a semi-final venue is just over 500 miles from Kansas City to Dallas while the longest – between Los Angeles and Atlanta – is just under 2,200 miles.

Infantino said “players and fans have been at the core of our extensive planning for this game-changing tournament” and it will be a tournament that will “not only set new records but also leave an indelible legacy”.

Fifa said the schedule was drawn up in consultation with stakeholders including national team coaches and technical directors.

The governing body says teams will have three days of rest for 103 of the tournament’s record 104 matches.

“The tournament’s innovative match schedule will serve to minimise travel for teams and fans alike, while the number of rest days between fixtures will be maximised,” the governing body said.

The new format will feature 12 four-team groups and a last-32 knockout round for the first time.

The tournament hosts will play the group stage in their own countries, with the US staying on the West Coast with two games in LA and one in Seattle.

Canada will play one group stage game in Toronto followed by two in Vancouver while Mexico will play twice at the Azteca and once in Guadalajara.

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Kano Athletes Tragedy: Governor Abiodun Supports Victims’ Families with N1 Million Each

This was a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community, and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident.

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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun commiserated with the government and people of Kano state over the loss of athletes and officials returning home from the just-concluded National Sports Festival (NSF), tagged, Gateway Games 2024.

The Governor also gave N1 million each to the families of the victims as initial support over the loss of their loved ones, totaling N31 million.

The message was delivered on behalf of the governor by a delegation led by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele included the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; the state Commissioner for Sports Development, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka; and the Executive Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Gateway Games 2024, Dr Kweku Tandoh.

The delegation was received by officials of the Kano State Government, led by the state’s Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdusalam Gwarzo.

: “We know that the Governor is out of the state on Hajj, but we felt we had to be here to show our support to the Governor, the Government, and the people of Kano State in these trying times.

This was a devastating loss for Kano State, for the athletics community, and especially for the families and friends of the individuals who were affected by this tragic incident.

We also pray for the speedy recovery of the other people who are in the hospital at this time, who rushed to the aid of the victims,” said Engr. Salako-Oyedele.

The Kano Deputy Governor expressed the State Government’s appreciation for the visit.

He disclosed that Governor Abiodun had called to commiserate with the government and people of Kano State over the incident on Saturday.

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Kano Mourns 22 Athletes killed in Auto Accident

The athletes were killed near Kuri, about 50 kilometres from Kano while returning from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they had represented Kano at the 22nd National Sports Festival.

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The Kano State government has declared today a public holiday to mourn the death of 22 athletes who lost their lives in a tragic auto crash on Saturday.

The athletes were killed near Kuri, about 50 kilometres from Kano while returning from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where they had represented Kano at the 22nd National Sports Festival.

In a statement signed by the Director-General of Media and Publicity, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf expressed profound sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

“On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, we wish to extend our heartfelt condolences over the unfortunate incident that occurred to the brave Kano team members on their way back home along the Kano–Zaria expressway,” said the statement.

The governor described the incident as a dark moment for the state, saying, “It is with a deeply saddened heart that I received the tragic news of the unfortunate incident which claimed the lives of 22 innocent citizens and left several others injured.”

He added, “On behalf of the government and the good people of Kano State, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We mourn with you and share in your grief.”

Governor Yusuf also approved today as a public holiday to sympathise with the victims’ families and called for calm and unity during this challenging time.

He assured that all necessary efforts were being made to support the families and survivors.

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Ex-Super Eagles Coach, Oliseh Gets IFAB Appointment

Oliseh confirmed this appointment via his official X account on Monday.

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Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has landed a new role with the International Football Association Board, IFAB.

IFAB is the global guardian of football’s laws, responsible for determining the laws of football, shaping the beautiful game for players and fans worldwide.

Oliseh confirmed this appointment via his official X account on Monday.

He wrote: “Thrilled to announce my appointment to the International Football Association Board (IFAB)!

“Honored to contribute to its mission!”Oliseh’s appointment to the IFAB board will see the former Dortmund and Juventus midfielder work with some of football’s most influential figures, including legendary Arsenal boss, Arsène Wenger.

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