World Cup Stadiums: The Complete Guide to Every Venue
From the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo (1930) to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey (2026), the FIFA World Cup has been played in some of the world's most iconic venues. This is the complete guide to every World Cup stadium.
The Most Iconic World Cup Stadiums
1. Estadio Azteca — Mexico City, Mexico
Capacity: 87,523 | World Cups: 1970, 1986, 2026
The Azteca is the most historically significant football stadium in the Americas. It has hosted two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986) and will host the 2026 Opening Ceremony and opening match. It is the only stadium to host three World Cups.
Historic moments: - Pelé's Brazil 4-1 Italy final (1970) - Maradona's "Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" vs England (1986) - Argentina 3-2 West Germany final (1986) - The "Game of the Century" — Italy 4-3 West Germany semi-final (1970)
2. Maracanã — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Capacity: 78,838 | World Cups: 1950, 2014
The Maracanã is the most famous football stadium in the world. Built for the 1950 World Cup, it hosted the "Maracanazo" — Uruguay's 2-1 victory over Brazil before a world-record crowd of approximately 199,854. It also hosted the 2014 World Cup final (Germany 1-0 Argentina).
3. Wembley Stadium — London, England
Capacity: 90,000 | World Cups: 1966
The original Wembley hosted England's only World Cup title in 1966. The "did it cross the line?" controversy of Geoff Hurst's second goal remains one of football's most debated moments.
4. MetLife Stadium — East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
Capacity: 82,500 | World Cups: 2026
The 2026 World Cup Final venue. Home of the New York Giants and Jets, MetLife Stadium will host 8 matches including the Final on July 19, 2026. Located in the New York metropolitan area — the world's most iconic city.
2026 World Cup Stadiums: Complete Guide
USA Venues (11 stadiums)
| Stadium | City | Capacity | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife Stadium | New York/NJ | 82,500 | 8 (Final) |
| AT&T Stadium | Dallas | 80,000 | 9 |
| SoFi Stadium | Los Angeles | 70,240 | 8 |
| Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta | 71,000 | 8 |
| Hard Rock Stadium | Miami | 65,326 | 7 |
| Lumen Field | Seattle | 69,000 | 6 |
| Gillette Stadium | Boston | 65,878 | 6 |
| Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City | 76,416 | 6 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | 72,220 | 6 |
| Lincoln Financial Field | Philadelphia | 69,176 | 6 |
| Levi's Stadium | San Francisco | 68,500 | 6 |
Canada Venues (2 stadiums)
Mexico Venues (3 stadiums)
| Stadium | City | Capacity | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | 87,523 | 5 (Opening) |
| Estadio Akron | Guadalajara | 49,850 | 5 |
| Estadio BBVA | Monterrey | 53,500 | 5 |
Stadiums That Hosted World Cup Finals
| Year | Stadium | City | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | Estadio Centenario | Montevideo | Uruguay |
| 1934 | Stadio Nazionale PNF | Rome | Italy |
| 1938 | Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir | Paris | France |
| 1950 | Maracanã | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil |
| 1954 | Wankdorf Stadium | Bern | Switzerland |
| 1958 | Råsunda Stadium | Stockholm | Sweden |
| 1962 | Estadio Nacional | Santiago | Chile |
| 1966 | Wembley Stadium | London | England |
| 1970 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico |
| 1974 | Olympiastadion | Munich | Germany |
| 1978 | Estadio Monumental | Buenos Aires | Argentina |
| 1982 | Santiago Bernabéu | Madrid | Spain |
| 1986 | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico |
| 1990 | Stadio Olimpico | Rome | Italy |
| 1994 | Rose Bowl | Pasadena | USA |
| 1998 | Stade de France | Paris | France |
| 2002 | International Stadium Yokohama | Yokohama | Japan |
| 2006 | Olympiastadion | Berlin | Germany |
| 2010 | Soccer City | Johannesburg | South Africa |
| 2014 | Maracanã | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil |
| 2018 | Luzhniki Stadium | Moscow | Russia |
| 2022 | Lusail Stadium | Lusail | Qatar |
| 2026 | MetLife Stadium | New York/NJ | USA |
Stadium Records
- Most World Cup matches hosted: Estadio Azteca — 19 matches (1970 + 1986)
- Largest crowd: Maracanã — ~199,854 (Brazil vs Uruguay, 1950)
- Largest stadium used: Estadio Azteca — 107,412 capacity
- Most finals hosted: Estadio Azteca — 2 (1970, 1986)
- Newest final venue: Lusail Stadium, Qatar (opened 2021)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stadium has hosted the most World Cup matches?
Estadio Azteca in Mexico City with 19 matches across two tournaments (1970 and 1986). It will host more in 2026.
Where is the 2026 World Cup Final?
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (New York area) on July 19, 2026.
Which stadium hosted the largest World Cup crowd?
The Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro hosted approximately 199,854 fans for Brazil vs Uruguay in the 1950 World Cup.