Five stadiums turning heads at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The United States boasts 11 venues, while Mexico has three and two stadiums in Canada play host to the world's best. Here, we select five that are set to enchant fans and players alike.

Mexico City Stadium - Mexico City - 83 000 capacity

Key fixtures: Mexico v South Africa, 11 June; Czechia v Mexico, 24 June

Known locally as the Estadio Azteca, it is by far the venue most steeped in history. The stadium has already hosted many winners and heroes. Built for the 1968 Olympic Games, it also went on to host two World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, the only stadium to have done so.

From the legendary Diego Maradonna parading around the park following Argentina's triumph in 1986 to Michael Jackson bringing in over half a million fans over five nights in 1993, Estadio Azteca is dripping with history. Expect it to be humming when hosts Mexico face South Africa in a replay of the 2010 FIFA World Cup opener.

New Jersey Stadium - New York - 82 500 capacity

Key fixtures: Brazil v Morocco, 13 June; Final, 19 July

As the host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, all roads lead to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The venue has already been put through its paces in the hosting of the 2014 Super Bowl. It is also no stranger to football, having hosted the 2016 Copa America Centenario final, where Chile famously edged Argentina on penalties.  That loss was almost the final straw for their talisman Lionel Messi, but thankfully, he reversed his retirement.

Could we see Messi back on the same turf where he retired ten years ago? The eyes of the world will be on the New York Stadium when it hosts the final next month.

Estadio Monterrey - Guadalupe - 53 500 capacity

Key fixtures: South Africa v South Korea, 24 June; Round of 32, 29 June

There is no stadium with a better view at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 1820m Cerro de la Silla casts its vast shadow on the surrounds and fans in the northwestern section of the venue will be treated to superb views of the lush mountainside.

Having opened in 2015, it is one of the most modern in Mexico and features a sloping steel cantilever roof design that's very easy on the eye and allows for a breeze.

Los Angeles Stadium - Inglewood - 70 000 capacity

Key fixtures: USA v Paraguay, 12 June; Quarterfinal, 10 July

The ultra-modern SoFi Stadium is the newest of the venues, having only opened in 2020. But it's already cut its teeth hosting several big events such as the Rolling Stones, Kanye West, Taylor Swift and even some soccer in the form of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup final between Mexico and Panama. It will host the opening ceremony for the 2028 Summer Olympics as well.

The venue's distinctive feature is its semi-transparent roof, which allows plenty of light through. SoFi also has a one-of-a-kind infinity screen suspended from the roof along with 260 stereo speakers, which will be pumping when the Stars and Stripes open their campaign against Paraguay.

BC Place Vancouver - Vancouver - 54 000 capacity

Key fixtures: Canada v Qatar, 18 June; Round of 16, 7 July.

Nestled downtown, BC Place is one of Canada's most recognisable sporting landmarks. The venue's standout feature is its unique cable-supported retractable roof, the largest of its kind in the world following a major renovation in 2011.

The stadium first opened in 1983 and hosted the opening ceremony of the 2010 Winter Olympics, where hockey legend Wayne Gretzky was torch bearer. It also hosted the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup fina where the US beat Japan. Being Canada's third FIFA World Cup appearance, expect the fans to be at fever pitch for their clash with Qatar.