By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Canada, Mexico and the United States will host the FIFA World Cup 26™ from June 11 to July 19, 2026, bringing the world’s premier soccer tournament back to North America for the first time in 32 years.
The 2026 tournament will be historic on several fronts. It will be the first FIFA World Cup™ hosted by three nations and the first to feature 48 teams, making it the largest edition of the tournament in history.
Los Angeles will be one of the major U.S. host cities, welcoming eight matches, including the U.S. Men’s National Team’s opening and third group-stage matches. Los Angeles will also host three additional group-stage matches, two Round of 32 knockout matches and one quarterfinal.
For Southern California, the World Cup represents more than a month of international soccer. It is a chance to showcase the region’s cultural diversity, hospitality, sports history and neighborhood pride to visitors from around the globe. The goal is for fans from around the world to “Start Your World Cup Experience in Los Angeles,” while helping drive tourism and international attention to the region for years to come.
The tournament will bring together some of the greatest soccer players in the world. For the United States, one key player to watch is Weston McKennie, a midfielder for Juventus and the U.S. Men’s National Team. McKennie, born Aug. 28, 1998, is known for his versatility and has been described as a “Swiss Army knife” because of his ability to play multiple positions.
A youth prospect from FC Dallas, McKennie began his senior club career with Schalke 04 in Germany before joining Juventus in Italy. He has won major trophies with the club, including the Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia, and remains one of the most recognized American players competing in Europe.
Early FIFA World Cup 26™ Match Schedule
June 11: Mexico vs. South Africa — Group A, Mexico City
June 11: Korea Republic vs. Czechia — Group A, Guadalajara
June 12: Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina — Group B, Toronto
June 12: USA vs. Paraguay — Group D, Los Angeles
June 13: Brazil vs. Morocco — Group C, New York/New Jersey
June 13: Australia vs. Türkiye — Group D, Vancouver
June 13: Qatar vs. Switzerland — Group B, San Francisco Bay Area
As the countdown continues, Los Angeles is preparing to take its place on one of sports’ biggest stages. With matches, fan events and visitors from across the globe, the FIFA World Cup 26™ will offer Southern California a rare opportunity to celebrate soccer, culture and community before an international audience.