Story perspectives

U.S. Co-hosts 2026 World Cup, NYC Gets Ticket Discounts

6/5/2026

34 2

Summary

Story summary

The United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup, opening on June 11, 2026, and concluding on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
$50 ticket discounts are offered only to New York City residents, excluding New Jersey buyers.
Eight Major League Soccer players join the U.S. squad while MLS stars also represent Haiti, Canada, Panama and other nations.
The highest-paid players are Cristiano Ronaldo ($295 M), Lionel Messi ($140 M), Kylian Mbappé ($100 M) and Erling Haaland ($80 M).

History

Historical Context

In 1994 FIFA chose the United States—selected on July 4 1988—to host the first World Cup on American soil, delivering a record 3,587,538 spectators and establishing a financially successful model. That success guided the 2026 tournament, which again places matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and emphasizes ticket strategies to maximize revenue, reflecting FIFA’s continued emphasis on market expansion.

1 of 2

Story summary

The United States co-hosts the 2026 World Cup, opening on June 11, 2026, and concluding on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
$50 ticket discounts are offered only to New York City residents, excluding New Jersey buyers.
Eight Major League Soccer players join the U.S. squad while MLS stars also represent Haiti, Canada, Panama and other nations.
The highest-paid players are Cristiano Ronaldo ($295 M), Lionel Messi ($140 M), Kylian Mbappé ($100 M) and Erling Haaland ($80 M).

1 / 2