Sixteen cities host World Cup 2026, and each one gets a different slice of the tournament. Some host the opening match, some host the final, some host nine matches and some host five. If you are planning your trip, the first question is not which team to follow, but which city gives you the best matches. Here is the full guide to what each host city gets, from the Azteca to MetLife, so you can build your trip around the games that matter most to you.

Mexico City: the opening match and history

Mexico City hosts five matches at the Estadio Azteca, including the tournament opener on June 11, Mexico against South Africa. The Azteca also hosts group matches and a round of 32 game, making it one of the most historic venues in the tournament. The opening match alone makes Mexico City a must-visit: the ceremony, the first goal, and the first stadium to host three World Cup opening matches. The Zócalo fan festival in the historic centre will be one of the biggest in the tournament.

New York and New Jersey: the final

New York and New Jersey host eight matches at MetLife Stadium, including five group games, knockout matches and the final on July 19. No city has a bigger prize: the final is the biggest match in world football, and the whole city will be a festival for the final week. MetLife also hosts big group games, and the city's fan zones will be packed from the opening weekend. If you can only visit one city, and you want the biggest match, this is it.

Dallas: the most matches in the tournament

Dallas, or rather Arlington, hosts nine matches at AT&T Stadium, more than any other venue, including five group games, two round of 32 games, a round of 16 match and a semi-final. It is the busiest stadium in the tournament, and the city is a great base for a long trip: you can see nine matches without leaving Texas. The semi-final on July 14 is the highlight, and the stadium's scale makes every match feel like an event.

Los Angeles, Atlanta and Miami: the big knockout cities

Los Angeles hosts eight matches at SoFi Stadium, including a quarter-final, and the American opening ceremony before the USA's first match. Atlanta hosts eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including a semi-final on July 15, making it one of the best cities for a long stay. Miami hosts seven matches at Hard Rock Stadium, including the third-place playoff on July 18, the bronze final. These three cities are the best choices for fans who want knockout football and big-city entertainment in the same trip.

The Canadian cities: Toronto and Vancouver

Toronto hosts six matches at BMO Field, including Canada's opening match against Bosnia on June 12, the first World Cup match ever played on Canadian soil. Vancouver hosts seven matches at BC Place, including big European teams and a round of 32 game. Both Canadian cities offer a different experience from the American venues: smaller stadiums, friendlier crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere. Toronto is the historic choice, Vancouver the scenic one.

The Mexican cities: Guadalajara and Monterrey

Guadalajara hosts four matches at the Estadio Akron, and Monterrey hosts four matches at the Estadio BBVA, the most beautiful stadium in the tournament. Both cities are worth a visit for the football alone, but they also offer the best food and the warmest welcome in the tournament. Guadalajara's matches include big European teams, and Monterrey's include knockout football. A Mexican road trip through all three cities is one of the great World Cup experiences.

The other American cities: Boston, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Seattle and San Francisco

Boston hosts seven matches at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, including a quarter-final. Houston hosts seven matches at NRG Stadium, with the city's downtown transformed into a festival. Kansas City hosts six matches at Arrowhead Stadium, including a quarter-final on July 11. Philadelphia hosts six matches at Lincoln Financial Field, in one of the most historic cities in America. Seattle hosts six matches at Lumen Field, the loudest stadium in the country. The San Francisco Bay Area hosts six matches at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Each of these cities has its own character, and each one is worth a visit.