How the U.S. is Preparing for the 2026 World Cup
The world’s most popular sporting event is coming back to the United States. For the first time since 1994, the FIFA World Cup will be held on American soil—this time as part of a historic joint hosting effort with Canada and Mexico. The 2026 edition will be unlike any before, featuring an expanded 48-team format and matches spread across 16 cities in North America.
In the United States, 11 host cities are deep into preparations to accommodate the logistical, economic, and security demands of what is expected to be the biggest World Cup in history. From public safety to infrastructure upgrades to community engagement, the road to 2026 is in full swing. Here’s a look at how cities across the U.S. are getting ready to welcome the world.
Atlanta: A Billion-Dollar Opportunity
In Atlanta, city officials are forecasting a $1 billion windfall from the World Cup. Mayor Andre Dickens recently emphasized the transformative potential of the event, highlighting upgrades to mass transit, public safety, and hospitality infrastructure. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with a capacity of 75,000, will host eight matches—including a pivotal semifinal.
Lessons from past events are guiding Atlanta’s approach. The unfortunate stampede at the 2024 Copa América final in Miami, where fans were left outside gates in dangerous heat, has raised the stakes on crowd management and emergency preparedness. Atlanta’s World Cup preparations are now a priority across departments, with security, crowd control, and transportation infrastructure all under the microscope.
Arlington: Experience Meets Expectation
In Texas, Arlington is drawing on its extensive event-hosting history to prepare for a mammoth task: nine World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium, the most of any venue in North America.
"It's more than nine Super Bowls," said Matt Wilson, executive director of the Arlington Sports Commission. Years of hosting major sporting events, including the Texas Rangers’ World Series celebrations, have given the city confidence. Preparations include bolstering public transit, crowd control, and ensuring fan experiences outside the stadium are equally memorable.
The economic outlook is bright: an expected $2 billion boost to North Texas. Erika Boyd of the Texas Travel Alliance stressed that beyond matchdays, visitors will explore and spend across the state, bringing long-term benefits to tourism and local business.
Philadelphia: A Year Packed with Prestige
Philadelphia is embracing 2026 as a historic moment. The city isn’t just hosting World Cup matches—it's also a key player in the U.S. Semiquincentennial celebrations, March Madness, and the MLB All-Star Game.
Meg Kane, head of the city’s World Cup organizing committee, views the year as an extraordinary opportunity to elevate Philadelphia’s global profile. "It's going to be quite epic," she said, citing security, hospitality, and transportation readiness as priorities.
Like other host cities, Philadelphia is closely studying the Paris 2024 Olympics model, where civic engagement and community inclusion helped reduce disruption and boost enthusiasm. Plans are underway for volunteer programs, school initiatives, and localized fan festivals.
New York/New Jersey: The Grand Finale
East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium, situated just outside New York City, will host the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026. With over 82,000 seats, it will be the center of the soccer universe.
Preparations span three states and dozens of agencies. Transportation remains the most pressing challenge, as millions of visitors will rely on trains, buses, and rideshares to get to the stadium. Planners are also working to balance regional economic benefits with residential disruptions.
Officials from the tri-state area are attending global mega-event workshops, drawing from best practices in Tokyo, Paris, and London to fine-tune their strategy for game-day efficiency and long-term impact.
Houston: Seven Super Bowls in 20 Days
Houston will host six matches and expects to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans during the tournament.
Chris Canetti, president of the Houston 2026 Host Committee, described the World Cup as a multi-week, high-impact series of events. "It’s going to be seven Super Bowls in 20 days," he said.
Houston’s preparation focuses on leveraging existing infrastructure, strengthening emergency preparedness, and promoting the city's rich multicultural identity. Security coordination involves local law enforcement, DHS, and international security experts.
Smart Cities, Safer Cities
At the Smart City Expo USA conference in New York, host city leaders gathered to discuss the need for smart, scalable technology in event management. From AI-assisted traffic flow to real-time incident reporting apps, technology will play a critical role in ensuring a smooth experience for visitors.
New Orleans CIO Kimberly LaGrue emphasized flexibility and preparedness. Her city recently hosted the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras back-to-back, all while managing post-terror attack recovery.
"You can never over-prepare," she said. "Every scenario must be accounted for, especially when public safety is on the line."
Engaging Communities and Schools
Many cities are taking inspiration from the community-first approach used for the Olympics in Paris. That means getting residents involved early and often. Schools are preparing curriculum units about the World Cup, and youth soccer programs are seeing increased investment.
Community festivals, job fairs, and local sponsorship programs are designed not just to hype up the games, but to ensure the legacy of the World Cup extends beyond the final whistle. Involving residents in volunteering, local art installations, and stadium hospitality roles will further deepen the event’s community roots.
The Challenge of Scale
The 2026 tournament will feature 48 teams, up from 32 in 2022. That means more games, more travel, and more coordination across three nations.
In the U.S., cities will need to accommodate not just matches but full training bases, VIP travel, media demands, and the millions attending FIFA Fan Fests. Each host city is expected to see hundreds of thousands of visitors over the tournament's six weeks.
To manage this, many cities are working hand-in-hand with federal authorities and FIFA’s operational teams to align security, transportation, and fan services. This coordination is essential to avoid scenarios like the dangerous congestion seen at the 2024 Copa América final.
What Comes After the Final?
As city leaders continue their planning, the looming question remains: what will the 2026 World Cup leave behind?
In 1994, the U.S. tournament gave birth to Major League Soccer. In 2026, leaders hope to cement the United States’ position as a true global soccer nation.
From infrastructure to youth engagement, the World Cup presents an opportunity to catalyze lasting change. Cities are discussing how new transit improvements, digital upgrades, and hospitality training can continue benefiting residents long after the tournament ends.
And with an expected global audience in the billions, America’s moment on the world soccer stage is a chance not only to impress—but to transform.
The road to 2026 will be long, costly, and complex. But with the eyes of the world watching, U.S. host cities are determined to deliver an unforgettable tournament—and leave a legacy that lasts generations.
