The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition of the competition to feature 48 teams, necessitating an increase in the number of stadiums required to host matches compared to previous tournaments.

FIFA has announced 16 stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico as venues to stage matches during the 39 days of competition—the highest number ever in the tournament’s history.

The iconic MetLife Stadium is one of the venues designated to host matches. The multi-purpose stadium, located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is one of the most famous sporting venues in the United States.

MetLife will host several games during the World Cup. The tournament final is scheduled to take place at the stadium.

Other World Cup matches that will be played at MetLife, which will be renamed the New Jersey New York Stadium during the tournament in accordance with FIFA practice, include the epic match between Morocco and Brazil.

France and Senegal will also face each other at the venue, as will Ecuador and Germany, and Panama against England.

Opened in April 2010, the 82,500-capacity stadium, one of the largest in North America, cost a whopping $1.6 billion to construct. The venue is unique for being shared by two National Football League franchises, the New York Giants and the New York Jets.

Construction of the 82,500-capacity stadium, one of the largest in North America, began in 2007 and opened in April 2010, with the first event at the venue being the Big City Classic lacrosse tournament.

It cost a whopping $1.6 billion to build the stadium, which was constructed as a neutral facility that embodies the distinct personalities of both the Jets and Giants.

MetLife has staged some of the biggest sports events, including the 2014 Super Bowl, the Copa América Centenario, the International Champions Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Several household musicians have also performed at the stadium, including Ed Sheeran, who holds the record (89,106 attendees) for the largest musical event at the venue.

The highest attendance at MetLife Stadium is 82,566, set in a 2025 pre-season game between Manchester United and West Ham. For the NFL, the Giants-Jets clash drew 83,367 fans.

Overall, the largest attendance ever recorded at MetLife was in 2012 when 93,000 people attended the Siyum HaShas, a celebration of the completion of the Daf Yomi.