For example, Zidane, Simeone, Weah, Kluivert, or Thuram are names that already belonged to soccer history, and now they return to the biggest showcase on the planet, but with a new generation as the protagonist. The names looking for their own legacy are the following:

• Luca Zidane, son of Zinedine Zidane
• Timothy Weah, son of George Weah
• Justin Kluivert, son of Patrick Kluivert
• Marcus Thuram, son of Lilian Thuram
• Giuliano Simeone, son of Diego Simeone
• Erling Haaland, son of Alfie Haaland
• Nico Paz, son of Pablo Paz
• Francisco Conceicao, son of Sergio Conceicao
• Lee Taesok, son of Lee Eul-yong

The names with the most pressure

There are definitely sons who carry more pressure due to the weight of their last name, and it is necessary to start with Luca Zidane. He is the son of Zinedine Zidane, a world champion with France in 1998, author of two goals in that final against Brazil, and one of the great symbols of the recent history of European soccer.

His last name needs no context, as it is enough to read “Zidane” for the memory to automatically travel to a victorious France, the 1998 Ballon d’Or, Real Madrid, and one of the most elegant figures soccer has ever produced.

The case of Luca Zidane is somewhat different. He will not defend France, the squads with which his father touched glory, but rather Algeria, squads linked to his family roots. The 28-year-old goalkeeper, born in Marseille, does not arrive at the World Cup as a top-tier media star, but he certainly stands out as one of the names that can generate the most headlines.

Timothy Weah, the son of a Ballon d’Or winner without a World Cup

His father, George Weah, was the Ballon d’Or winner in 1995 and remains one of the greatest legends in African soccer history. He shone in Europe, left a lasting mark on historic clubs, and became an icon far beyond Liberia.

He made the leap to Europe with AS Monaco, where he began to draw attention for his power, speed, and scoring ability. Afterward, he played for PSG and reached his peak with AC Milan, a period during which he became a Ballon d’Or recipient. He also spent time with Chelsea, Manchester City, and Olympique de Marseille; however, he never played in a World Cup with his teams.

His son, Timothy Weah, will do so, but representing the United States. The 26-year-old New York City player already possesses international experience and does not arrive merely as a family curiosity, as his last name carries something truly special.

Justin Kluivert, the last name of a historic goalscorer

He is the son of Patrick Kluivert, who was one of the great Dutch forwards of his era. He developed at Ajax, where he was a protagonist in the 1995 Champions League, scoring the decisive goal in the final against AC Milan. Afterward, he played for AC Milan, but his most remembered stint was with FC Barcelona, where he served as one of the main offensive references for several seasons.

Marcus Thuram, the heir of a World Champion

Marcus Thuram carries one of the most recognizable last names in French soccer. His father, Lilian Thuram, was a world champion with France in 1998, a European champion in 2000, and one of the most important defenders of his generation.

He developed at AS Monaco, moved afterward to Parma, then signed with Juventus, where he was one of the best defenders in the world, and finally closed his career as a player with FC Barcelona. His son, however, has built his career from a completely different part of the field: the attack. Just like them, there are also the previously mentioned players, but from a soccer perspective, there is no such noticeable demand attached to their last names.

According to the official FIFA regulations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the rosters of the participants must feature between 23 and 26 players. This exact requirement coincides with the Qatar 2022 World Cup. FIFA expanded the squad lists in the previous tournament in order to accommodate the growing saturation of matches across global soccer.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed competitions in the two previous years and significantly increased the overall playing-minute workload, also significantly influenced this decision. FIFA received an overwhelmingly favorable response to this specific change and ultimately decided to maintain the expanded roster format for the 2026 tournament.

A crucial fact for the teams

Before locking in the official squad list, the teams had to submit a preliminary list, which also serves as their provisional roster of 35 to 55 players. As an important fact, any player suffering “serious injury or illness” before the tournament begins may be replaced by another player from the provisional roster, all the way up to 24 hours before their first World Cup match.

Teams are allowed to have up to nine players on the roster for training purposes until the start of the tournament, but those nine players may not participate in World Cup competition. Furthermore, as an absolute mandatory requirement for the squads, at least three of the 26 selected players must be goalkeepers.

The clubs that contribute the most players to the World Cup

With the Premier League being the tournament that contributes the most players to the 2026 World Cup, it is only natural that Manchester City are the club that released the most soccer players to the squads playing in the World Cup, as they boast 19 players.

Behind the English outfit, several prominent international clubs follow closely in terms of representation, with their respective numbers clearly demonstrating the massive European influence on the tournament:

• Bayern Munich: 17
• Arsenal: 16
• Paris Saint-Germain: 15
• Barcelona: 14

Which league has the most selected players

The English leagues confirm their sheer dominance by contributing 203 players to the World Cup across three distinct divisions. The Premier League is the individual competition that contributes the most soccer players to the 2026 World Cup, with 163 selected players, while the Championship, the second division, will have 35 representatives at the World Cup.

Unsurprisingly, the leagues that contribute the most players are the top five biggest leagues in Europe. In total, 86 different leagues contribute players for the World Cup, spanning across 71 different countries, with the top five leagues contributing the following numbers:

• Premier League: 163
• Bundesliga: 100
• LaLiga: 81
• Ligue 1: 79
• Serie A: 66

This time, FIFA has gone bigger than ever. Alongside an official 18-track album featuring artists from around the world, the organization has selected a song designed to capture the energy and global spirit of the first 48-team World Cup.

The track brings together two internationally recognized stars and aims to unite fans across continents through a shared passion for the game. With millions expected to hear it, the official anthem will become part of World Cup history.

What is the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

The official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is “Dai Dai“, performed by Shakira and Burna Boy. FIFA officially unveiled the track on May, describing it as a celebration of soccer, culture and global unity ahead of the tournament.

The song marks another World Cup milestone for Shakira, who has become one of the artists most closely associated with FIFA tournaments over the past two decades. According to FIFA, “Dai Dai” captures energy and passion.

Beyond its role as the tournament anthem, the track also supports a charitable cause. The organization announced that royalties generated by the song will help fund the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.

“Dai Dai” is part of FIFA’s broader music strategy for 2026, which includes an 18-track official album featuring artists from multiple countries and musical genres. FIFA has described the project as the most ambitious musical collaboration.

When was the 2026 FIFA World Cup song released?

The official 2026 FIFA World Cup song was released globally on May 15, 2026. FIFA and Sony Music Latin launched the track simultaneously across major streaming platforms as anticipation for the tournament continued to grow.

The release came less than a month before the opening match of the World Cup and immediately generated significant attention among soccer and music fans. FIFA promoted the song as the centerpiece of the tournament’s musical identity.

It’s worth noting that “Dai Dai” was not the first song connected to the tournament. Earlier in 2026, FIFA launched the official album project with the single “Lighter“, performed by Jelly Roll and Carin Leon.

However, the soccer organization later confirmed that “Dai Dai” would serve as the competition’s official song. The release also reinforced the growing emphasis on entertainment as part of the World Cup experience.

What were the previous FIFA World Cup anthems?

Some of the most famous FIFA World Cup anthems include “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)“, “Wavin’ Flag” and “The Cup of Life“. Over the years, official songs have become an essential part of the tournament.

One of the earliest global hits was “Un’estate Italiana“, performed by Gianna Nannini and Edoardo Bennato for the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The song is frequently cited as one of the greatest sports anthems ever recorded.

The tradition reached a new level in 1998 when Ricky Martin released “The Cup of Life” (“La Copa de la Vida)” for the World Cup in France. The song became a worldwide sensation and helped establish the modern formula.

In 2010, Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became arguably the defining World Cup song of the 21st century. Other notable entries include Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte’s “We Are One (Ole Ola)” in 2014.

Which World Cup anthem is the most popular ever?

“Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” is widely considered the most popular FIFA World Cup anthem ever released. Originally created for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the song became a global phenomenon.

The track topped charts in numerous countries and accumulated billions of views and streams across digital platforms. More than a decade later, it remains instantly recognizable around the world and continues to be played at events.

Its lasting popularity is one reason FIFA turned once again to Shakira for the 2026 tournament. Sixteen years after “Waka Waka” became a global hit, the Colombian superstar returns hoping to create another soundtrack that will be remembered.

In many cases, their influence online rivals that of the world’s most famous entertainers and celebrities. When it comes to Instagram, one name stands far above the rest: Portuguese soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

He remains the most-followed player in the world, boasting roughly 645 million followers ahead of the World Cup. CR7 sits comfortably ahead of Argentine icon Lionel Messi, who has surpassed the 500 million mark.

How many Instagram followers does Cristiano Ronaldo have?

Cristiano Ronaldo has 665 million Instagram followers, making him the most-followed athlete and the most-followed individual person on the platform. He remains in a league of his own when it comes to social media influence.

His dominance on Instagram has been years in the making. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner became the first person to surpass major follower milestones such as 300 million, 500 million and eventually 600 million followers.

His posts regularly generate millions of likes and interactions, whether he is sharing training sessions, family moments, sponsorship campaigns or highlights from his career. His appeal extends far beyond soccer.

Having played for clubs such as Man United, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Al Nassr, he has built one of the largest personal brands. That reach is reflected in his social media following, which is larger than the population of most countries.

How many Instagram followers does Lionel Messi have?

Lionel Messi has 505 million Instagram followers, ranking among the three most-followed accounts in the world. The Argentina legend trails only Instagram itself and Cristiano Ronaldo in the global rankings.

He experienced one of the biggest follower surges in Instagram history after leading Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title. Images of him lifting the trophy became some of the most-liked posts ever published on the platform.

Now playing for Inter Miami while continuing his international career with Argentina, he remains one of the central figures of the World Cup. His online popularity reflects his accomplishments on the field and the loyalty of the fans.

Which young World Cup 2026 stars are growing fastest on Instagram?

Lamine Yamal is widely considered the fastest-growing social media star among the young players expected to feature at the 2026 World Cup. The inverted right winger has 43.2 million Instagram followers as of June 8, 2026.

The teenage sensation’s rise with both Spain and Barcelona has transformed him into one of soccer’s most followed young athletes, with millions of new followers arriving as his profile continues to expand globally.

Another major name is Jude Bellingham. The England midfielder’s success at Real Madrid has made him one of the most marketable young players in the sport. Brazil also boasts a social media powerhouse in Vinicius Junior.

One of the most talked-about names lately is Tim Payne. The 32-year-old New Zealand defender, who was once labeled the least-known player at the World Cup, is now gaining a flood of new followers thanks to an Argentine influencer.

Which national team has the biggest social media stars?

Argentina and Portugal currently boast the two biggest social media stars in world soccer thanks to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Together, the pair account for more than one billion Instagram followers.

Argentina’s social media strength extends beyond Messi. Players such as Emiliano Martinez, Julian Alvarez and Alexis Mac Allister have also seen their profiles grow significantly following the country’s World Cup triumph.

Portugal‘s numbers are heavily driven by Ronaldo, whose audience alone surpasses the combined following of many entire national teams. However, players such as Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leao contribute additional reach.

Brazil remains one of the strongest countries overall when considering multiple stars. With players like Neymar (234 million followers) and Vinicius Junior, the Selecao arguably has the deepest collection of social media heavyweights.

Only one nation has ever managed to reach double digits in a single World Cup game. In 1982, Hungary stunned the soccer world by defeating El Salvador 10-1, setting a record that still stands more than 40 years later.

That historic performance not only produced the highest-scoring victory ever seen at a World Cup, but also helped cement a record that has survived generations of soccer stars and dozens of editions of the competition.

Who scored in Hungary’s record-breaking 10-1 victory?

Hungary’s goals in the historic 10-1 win at the 1982 FIFA World Cup were scored by Tibor Nyilasi, Gabor Poloskei, Laszlo Fazekas, Jozsef Toth, Lazar Szentes and Laszlo Kiss. El Salvador’s lone goal came from Luis Ramirez Zapata.

The match took place on June 15, 1982, in Elche, Spain, during the group stage of the World Cup. Hungary raced to a 3-0 lead before halftime and added seven more goals after the break to produce what remains the highest-scoring victory.

The complete list of scorers was:

• Tibor Nyilasi – 4′ and 83′
• Gabor Poloskei – 11′
• Laszlo Fazekas – 23′ and 53′
• Jozsef Toth – 50′
• Laszlo Kiss – 69′, 72′, and 76′
• Lazar Szentes – 70′
• Luis Ramirez Zapata (El Salvador) – 64′

The standout performer was Laszlo Kiss, who came off the bench and scored a hat-trick in just seven minutes. His achievement remains the fastest hat-trick in World Cup history and the only hat-trick ever scored by a substitute.

Remarkably, despite producing the most lopsided scoreline ever seen at a World Cup, Hungary failed to advance beyond the group stage. The Magyars later lost to Argentina and drew with Belgium, finishing third in their group.

Has any team broken Hungary’s World Cup record?

No team has broken Hungary’s World Cup record. The 10-1 victory over El Salvador in 1982 remains the largest win and the only match in which a team has scored 10 goals in a single World Cup game.

The margin of victory in that match was 9 goals. While other teams have matched that margin, none have surpassed it. According to Guinness World Records and FIFA, the biggest winning margin in World Cup history is still 9 goals.

The three matches that share the record for the largest margin of victory are:

What makes the 1982 result unique is that Hungary became the only team ever to reach double digits in goals during a World Cup match. Even dominant modern performances such as Germany‘s 8-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in 2002 or Spain‘s 7-0 win over Costa Rica in 2022 fell short of Hungary’s scoring record.

The largest official attendance in FIFA World Cup history came at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium in 1950, when 173,850 spectators watched Uruguay shock Brazil in the match forever remembered as the Maracanazo.

On the other end of the spectrum, the 1930 group-stage meeting between Romania and Peru drew just 300 fans to Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo, setting a record that still stands as the tournament’s lowest attendance.

What was the highest-attended FIFA World Cup ever?

The 1994 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. remains the highest-attended tournament in history, with 3,587,538 spectators attending 52 matches. It also holds the record for the highest average attendance per game, with nearly 69,000 fans.

More than three decades later, no World Cup has surpassed those figures despite the tournament expanding from 24 teams to 32 and later to 48 teams. Hosted across nine American cities between June and July 1994, it proved that soccer could draw massive audiences.

The event was not only a sporting success but also a commercial one, becoming one of the most financially successful World Cups ever organized. Brazil ultimately lifted the trophy after defeating Italy in the first World Cup final decided by a penalty shootout.

Why did the 1994 FIFA World Cup attract so many fans?

The 1994 FIFA World Cup attracted so many fans because it combined large-capacity stadiums, strong ticket demand, a diverse population and widespread curiosity about a global event being held in the United States for the first time.

FIFA strategically selected venues that were already used by NFL teams, allowing attendance figures far beyond what was possible in many soccer-specific stadiums around the world.

Many of the host venues could accommodate more than 70,000 spectators, while iconic sites such as the Rose Bowl in Pasadena regularly drew crowds exceeding 90,000. It also benefited from the United States’ large immigrant communities.

The World Cup arrived at a pivotal moment for soccer in the country. Although the sport had not yet established a major professional league, interest surged throughout the tournament as fans embraced stars such as Romario, Roberto Baggio, Hristo Stoichkov and the host nation’s own Alexi Lalas.

The success of USA 1994 eventually helped pave the way for the creation of Major League Soccer in 1996, fulfilling one of FIFA’s conditions for awarding the tournament to the United States.

Another factor was the compact format. With only 52 matches compared to the 64-game tournaments that followed, attendance was concentrated into fewer fixtures, helping the event achieve a record-breaking average crowd.

Which stadium hosted the largest crowd in FIFA World Cup history?

The Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro hosted the largest crowd ever recorded for a FIFA World Cup match. On July 16, 1950, an official attendance of 173,850 spectators watched Uruguay defeat Brazil 2-1 in the decisive match of the tournament, an event forever remembered as the “Maracanazo”.

While the 1950 tournament did not use a traditional knockout final, the match effectively served as the championship decider. Brazil needed only a draw to secure the title, and many fans arrived expecting a historic home triumph. Instead, Uruguay stunned the host nation in one of the greatest upsets in soccer history.

The official figure remains the largest attendance ever recorded for a World Cup match. Some contemporary estimates suggest that nearly 200,000 people may have been inside the stadium, as thousands reportedly entered without tickets.

Top 5 highest-attended FIFA World Cup matches

What was the lowest-attended FIFA World Cup ever?

The lowest-attended FIFA World Cup match ever was Romania vs. Peru at the 1930 World Cup, with an estimated crowd of just 300 spectators. The game was played on July 14 at Estadio Pocitos in Montevideo, Uruguay.

While some official records listed attendance at around 2,500, historians agree that only about 300 fans were actually present. Several factors contributed to the tiny crowd, including cold weather and limited international travel.

Romania defeated Peru 3-1. The game got off to a lightning-fast start. Romanian forward Adalbert Deșu scored after just 50 seconds, giving them an early 1-0 lead and recording what was then the fastest goal of the tournament.

They held that advantage until halftime in front of the sparse crowd. The match also produced another piece of World Cup history. In the 54th minute, Peru’s Placido Galindo became the first player ever sent off in a FIFA World Cup match.

New York Stadium hosts a total of eight matches throughout the World Cup tournament, a number that is one less than Dallas, the venue slated to hold the most matchups. However, the local venue secures the ultimate privilege of staging the most important game of all, which is none other than the final.

These are the matches that will be played in New York:

Group Stage

• Saturday, June 13, 2026: Brazil vs. Morocco, Group C
• Tuesday, June 16, 2026: France vs. Senegal, Group I
• Monday, June 22, 2026: Norway vs. Senegal, Group I
• Thursday, June 25, 2026: Ecuador vs. Germany, Group E
• Saturday, June 27, 2026: Panama vs. England, Group L

Round of 32

• Tuesday, June 30, 2026: Match 77, 1I vs 3 C, D, F, G, H

Round of 16

• Sunday, July 5, 2026: Match 91, G76 vs G78

World Cup 2026 Final

• Sunday, July 19, 2026: Match 104, G101 vs G102

New York joins history with other cities

This location represents the largest city in the United States, and although it hosted several matches during the 1994 World Cup, the final back then was awarded by FIFA to Los Angeles and Pasadena. Because of this historical background, the decision to host the tournament culmination remains completely logical for the 2026 World Cup in New York.

New York joins an elite list of major global metropolises such as Johannesburg, Mexico City, Rome, Berlin, Moscow, and Rio de Janeiro. These prominent locations stand out across the planet as iconic cities that have previously hosted the prestigious final of the World Cup.

The stadium that will be the venue

MetLife Stadium is a multipurpose venue that originally opened in 2010, and it currently hosts the New York Giants and the New York Jets of the NFL, as well as the New York Guardians of the XFL. Furthermore, the iconic facility served as the exact stage for the 2016 Copa America Centenario final, a memorable match in which Chile defeated the Argentina squad led by Lionel Messi in a dramatic penalty shootout.

This venue served as the setting for the conclusion of the 2025 Club World Cup, an event where soccer fans from all over the globe witnessed a thrilling 3-0 victory by Chelsea over PSG. In addition to that final match, the stadium previously hosted the tournament semifinals, a single quarterfinal matchup, and five distinct fixtures during the group stage.

One could argue that many historical refereeing errors came down to a simple lack of technology—tools that will be readily available at the 2026 World Cup—and were nothing more than “human error.” However, the following infamous cases went far beyond honest mistakes, ultimately forcing FIFA to completely re-evaluate how it selects and vets match officials.

From a player receiving three yellow cards in a single match to “ghost goals” that were painfully obvious to an entire stadium but missed by the referee, we look back at the worst officiating disasters in World Cup history, several of which forced radical rule changes and birthed modern soccer technology.

Three yellow cards to the same player (2006 World Cup)

This entry makes the list not for altering a tournament outcome, but for a sheer, unprecedented breakdown in refereeing mathematics. Highly regarded English official Graham Poll, handling a high-stakes group-stage match between Croatia and Australia, somehow managed to brandish three separate yellow cards to Croatian defender Josip Simunic before finally sending him off.

Poll later explained that due to Simunic’s thick Australian accent, he accidentally logged the second yellow card under the name of Australia’s No. 3 (Craig Moore) instead of Croatia’s No. 3. The high-profile blunder cost Poll his chance to officiate in the knockout rounds, and he retired from the international circuit shortly after.

Byron Moreno’s nightmare officiating (2002 World Cup)

The 2002 World Cup was plagued by controversial calls favoring the co-hosts, but South Korea’s Round of 16 clash against Italy was the absolute pinnacle. Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno put together a sequence of decisions that felt entirely detached from the rulebook:

• He awarded South Korea a highly questionable early penalty.
• He consistently turned a blind eye to aggressive, physical fouls from South Korean players, including a literal kick to Paolo Maldini’s head.
• He disallowed a perfectly legal golden goal by Italy’s Damiano Tommasi for a nonexistent offside.
• Most infamously, he sent off Italian star Francesco Totti by issuing a second yellow card for “diving”—even though replays clearly showed Totti was tripped inside the penalty box.

Italy was ultimately eliminated 2-1 in extra time, and Moreno was later slapped with a lengthy suspension by his own domestic federation following further controversial matches in Ecuador.

The ‘Hand of God’ from Maradona (1986 World Cup)

In a legendary quarterfinals clash between Argentina and England, Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser made what remains the most famous and consequential missed call in sports history.

In the 51st minute, Argentina’s Diego Maradona contested an aerial ball with England goalkeeper Peter Shilton. Realizing he couldn’t reach it with his head, Maradona used his left fist to punch the ball over a leaping Shilton and directly into the back of the net.

Nasser later claimed he was waiting for his linesman to flag a violation, but neither official saw the handball due to their positioning. The goal stood, breaking a 0-0 deadlock, and Argentina rode the momentum to a 2-1 victory before ultimately hoisting the World Cup trophy.

Harald Schumacher’s assault on Patrick Battiston (1982 World Cup)

In terms of physical safety and pure shock value, this stands as the worst non-call in soccer history, with Dutch referee Charles Corver taking center stage during a brutal semifinal between West Germany and France.

French defender Patrick Battiston was racing clean through on goal when West German keeper Harald Schumacher flew out of his box. Schumacher completely ignored the ball and launched his body directly into Battiston’s face at full speed.

The collision was horrific: Battiston was knocked unconscious, lost three teeth, suffered cracked ribs, and sustained damaged vertebrae. Remarkably, referee Charles Corver did not issue a red card, a yellow card, or even blow his whistle for a foul. Instead, he simply awarded a goal kick to West Germany, who went on to advance on penalties.

Frank Lampard’s ghost goal (2010 World Cup)

With Germany leading 2-1 in the first half of a heated Round of 16 matchup against England, Frank Lampard launched a brilliant lob from outside the box. The ball struck the underside of the crossbar and bounced clearly—by nearly two full feet—behind the goal line before spinning back out into the arms of German keeper Manuel Neuer.

Referee Jorge Larrionda and his linesman waved play on, completely missing that a legitimate goal had been scored. A deflated England squad lost all momentum and eventually fell 4-1. The blunder was so egregious that it single-handedly forced FIFA to fast-track the implementation of Goal-Line Technology.

Per Jaime Macias of Telemundo, there are 289 players in the 2026 World Cup that will not play for the country in which they were born. For instance, 25 of the 26 Curazao players are from the Netherlands.

There are 75 players born in France that will play for other teams, mainly Tunisia, Haiti, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Ghana. There are also huge, mainstream names that are part of this phenomenon.

Biggest stars to not play for the country they were born in during the 2026 World Cup

There are some big names that will appear for other countries, which makes it all the more intriguing, as they could’ve easily played for the country where they were born and still play for a contender.

How many players have won the World Cup playing for a country where they weren’t born?

According to FIFA.com, there have been 22 players to win the World Cup repping the shirt of another country different to the one they were born in. The most notable case of them all is Italy, who has used foreign-born players to reach the highest of highs in the soccer world.

In 1934, Italy won having seven foreign-born players. In 1938, they had one. As for the 1982 World Cup, key member Claudio Gentile was born in Libya. Then, they added two more in 2006. Out of the 22 foreign-born World Cup champions, Italy has had 11 of them.

The impressive Kansas City venue hosts four group stage matches, one round of 16 match, and one quarterfinal match, with the schedule officially featuring the following matchups:

• Thursday, June 16, 2026, Argentina vs Algeria, Group J
• Saturday, June 20, 2026, Ecuador vs Curacao, Group E
• Thursday, June 25, 2026, Tunisia vs Netherlands, Group F
• Round of 32, Friday, July 3, 2026, 1st Group K vs 3rd Group D/E/I/J/L
• Quarterfinals, Saturday, July 11, 2026, Winner Match 95 vs Winner Match 96

Kansas City Stadium for the 2026 World Cup

The Kansas City Stadium is a football stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri. It primarily serves as the home venue for the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL. It possesses a maximum capacity of 76,416 spectators, which officially makes it the 25th largest stadium located across the United States.

The Kansas City Stadium is officially certified by Guinness World Records as the loudest outdoor sports venue in the entire world. In addition to that historic distinction, the iconic facility has proudly hosted a record of five consecutive NFL conference championships over the years.

The stadium, home to the Kansas City Chiefs, reached a record level of 142.2 decibels when the Chiefs faced the New England Patriots in 2014. Also known widely as the soccer capital of the United States, Kansas City is the proud home of Sporting KC, two-time MLS champions, and the KC Current, who were NWSL finalists in 2022.

Kansas City a place with a significant sports culture

It is a city deeply passionate about soccer that features a rich history of highly successful professional soccer teams, spanning from the Kansas City Spurs of the North American Soccer League to the Comets and Attack of indoor soccer, all the way to the current Sporting Kansas City of the MLS and KC Current of the NWSL.

The city also features professional teams in three major sports, including Sporting Kansas City (MLS), KC Current (NWSL), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), and the Kansas City Royals (MLB). The city has hosted multiple tournament qualifying matches, Concacaf Gold Cups (2011, 2015), men’s and women’s Concacaf Olympic qualifying matches, the 2013 MLS All-Star Game, and the 2013 MLS Cup Final.

Los Angeles will host eight games during the 2026 World Cup. This includes the United States opener. As a whole, the city will host five Group Stage matches, alongside two Round of 32 games, and a Quarterfinal matchup as well.

Group Stage Matches:

– June 12, 2026: USA vs Paraguay
– June 15, 2026: Iran vs New Zealand
– June 18, 2026: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
– June 21, 2026: Belgium vs Iran

Knockout Matches:

– June 28, 2026: Round of 32 (Runner-up Group A vs. Runner-up Group B)
– July 2, 2026: Round of 32 (Winner Group E vs. Runner-up Group H)
– July 10, 2026: Quarterfinal (Winner Match 93 vs. Winner Match 94)

SoFi Stadium will change its name for 2026 World Cup

Due to sponsorship issues, the SoFi Stadium will not be called like that. Instead, it will be called Los Angeles Stadium. This is because FIFA has very strict branding rules. FIFA fully prohibits corporate-sponsored stadium names.

Hence, under the tournament rules, the host venues must adopt neutral, geographical names. Since SoFi is not sponsoring the 2026 World Cup, all corporate branding will have to be removed.

Los Angeles Stadium capacity and features for 2026 World Cup

Located in Inglewood, California, the Los Angeles Stadium is a 3.1 million-square-foot venue. It can hold up to 70,240 spectators regularly, but can be expanded by up to 30,000 for mega events such as the 2026 World Cup. Hence, depending on administration, it can have a 100,000-people capacity.

Among its key features, it has an infinity screen, which is a massive, double-sided videoboard that can be seen from every seat in the stadium. The stadium also has an indoor-outdoor desing. It also has premium spaces, with over 260 luxury suites and 12 distinct premium club areas.