2026 FIFA World Cup

[ForCuseSake]

1. re: DC: Some are seeing the rejection as an FU to Snyder by the US federation per the WaPo because FedEx Field was the proposed DC venue.

2. re grass in domes: I believe I saw in a previous World Cup discussion that a Michigan State professor came up with these removable hexagonal pallets that have grass on top. Between game days, the pallets can be taken outside to get sunlight and then reassembled to make a grass playing surface. I'm surprised Phoenix didn't get any games since the grass field of the whoever-the-sponsor-is-this-week stadium slides out for sunlight.

Yep, MSU knew if Detroit were selected they would be responsible for developing the grass to be used at the Silverdome.

Once they developed the proper mix they sent it to California to grow the full quantity. They carved it into those hexagonal sections and trucked it back to Michigan.

Almost lost a full truckload when one of the drivers missed an exit and nearly rolled the refrigerated semi. It would’ve forced US Soccer to move those games from Detroit.

A Cut Above : Growing Grass for Indoors During World Cup Has Been Labor of Love, but Big Test Is Today

 

[jordville]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums

 

[jordville]

Bummed that the USMNT is staying on the Westcoast (LA - Seattle - LA) for the Group Stage.

 

[kirbivore]

Definitely going to this.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Qualifying for the World Cup Finals, to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada in the summer of 2026, started a while ago. Here are the teams who have qualified so far, as of June 2025.

How the 2026 World Cup is looking: Brazil, Ecuador, Australia punch tickets

The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.

www.espn.com

 

[IthacaMatt]

FIFA has published a grid that shows where each game of the World Cup will be played. This also shows you where to buy tickets, and tells you about the various venues.

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/fifa-world-cup-2026-hosts-cities-dates-usa-mexico-canada

.

 

[IthacaMatt]

However, our increasingly aggressive border policies are making FIFA rethink whether to have the US host it at all.

Refusing entry to the Little League team from Venezuela did not go down very well around the rest of the world.

It seems very hard to try to change everything at this late date, but I suppose it all depends on how bad we make it for foreigners to come here.

If FIFA were to move the World Cup, it would cost the US roughly 30B in lost tourism dollars. We might lose the Olympics, as well.

Is FIFA considering moving the World Cup out of U.S.? Why\u00a0it’s\u00a0unlikely

Rumors about the World Cup's relocation have appeared in recent weeks. Don't count on them.

ftw.usatoday.com

 

[Hoo's That]

I'm surprised the final will be in Met Life. The previous ones were all in the Rose Bowl.

 

[orangenauburn]

I have been looking forward to taking my family to both the world cup and the Olympics for years and now it's all looking like it might not be worth it on US soil

 

[IthacaMatt]

FIFA has published a grid that shows where each game of the World Cup will be played. This also shows you where to buy tickets, and tells you about the various venues.

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/fifa-world-cup-2026-hosts-cities-dates-usa-mexico-canada

.

Thanks for moving these. I did look first and searched for threads with "World Cup" in the title, but only saw the Club WC listed.

 

[FloridaCuse]

Wow

 

[cusefan88]

Wow

The logistical background to run large scale international events means this cannot be moved. We're talking training bases, practice fields, contracts for the stadium etc.

Everybody has lost their mind with this mush for brains fool. We are all now a victim of his dementia and demented followers.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Wow

Oh boy. What a world.

Who knew that being so corrupt to swindle your wealth leaves you without a spine?

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Oh boy. What a world.

Who knew that being so corrupt to swindle your wealth leaves you without a spine?

I think it is a testament to just how arrogant FIFA is.

To say that an American President has no jurisdiction over a event occurring in the US and that an intl organization trumps the US president in terms of authority within US borders might just be the dumbest statement ever uttered.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

By the way, just wait until you see ticket prices.

The cheapest ticket for a US men's natl team game is apparently $1,700 - and that is on the primary market.

FIFA is also going to use dynamic pricing so expect prices for big games to be in the stratosphere.

 

[upperdeck]

There are only so many places ready to play unless you move it way out and the logistics would be a nightmare.

 

[kirbivore]

By the way, just wait until you see ticket prices.

The cheapest ticket for a US men's natl team game is apparently $1,700 - and that is on the primary market.

FIFA is also going to use dynamic pricing so expect prices for big games to be in the stratosphere.

I just want to go to a game. Doesn't have to be a team USA one for me.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

I just want to go to a game. Doesn't have to be a team USA one for me.

In your case, dynamic pricing may work in your favor - as long as you are willing to watch Cape Verde vs New Zealand.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[CanadianSU]

This many teams just doesn’t work imo. Everyone but the best confederation (Europe) seems to be getting more spots, while it’s nice stories for smaller nations might be some blowouts.

 

[IthacaMatt]

This many teams just doesn’t work imo. Everyone but the best confederation (Europe) seems to be getting more spots, while it’s nice stories for smaller nations might be some blowouts.

This is what FIFA wanted - to include more 3rd world countries in the WC. It's kind of like wanting more Cinderellas in the NCAA Basketball tournament, instead of all the same of P5 schools taking up all the bids.

And I bet it will be effective. Look how well the Brazilian, African and Argentina club teams did this summer at the Club WC. These were huge pride games for them.

 

[IthacaMatt]

ESPN with the pots, to date, and the playoffs. All winners will go into Pot 4.

2026 World Cup playoff draws: Reactions, predictions, more

Six spots remain up for grabs at the 2026 World Cup, with four to emerge from Europe and a further two from an intercontinental playoff. What's the draw, and who will advance? We make our picks.

www.espn.com

The really interesting thing here is that since we are in Pot 1 as a host, our group will be one each from Pots 2, 3 and 4.

In the last 2 windows, we just had positive results against THREE of the Pot 2 teams against no losses and a win against a South American Pot 3 team.

That tells me that this team is playing well enough to win their group, which we might not have believed six months ago.

Nightmare draw would be:

Pot 2 - Croatia or Morocco

Pot 3 - Norway with Erling Haaland

Pot 4 - Italy, Turkiye or Sweden (Isak, Gyokores, Anthony Elanga) getting through from the Playoffs and getting drawn into our group.

Dream Draw:

Pot 2 - Australia

Pot 3 - Qatar or Uzbekistan

Pot 4 - Curacao or Cape Verde Islands