HOUSTON, TX (Sunday, February 4, 2024) — Houston will play host to 7 matches during the FIFA World Cup 26™ tournament, it was announced today. As part of the highly anticipated televised announcement, all 16 host cities in Mexico, Canada, and the United States learned their game allotments for what is set to be the largest tournament in FIFA World Cup™ history.  

Houston will host 7 matches, including one Round of 32, and one Round of 16, all to be played at Houston Stadium (NRG Stadium). This announcement brings the city one step closer to welcoming fans from all over the world to experience its diversity, rich history, and passion for soccer.  

“We are beyond excited to receive this schedule and to learn that Houston will be the host to 7 FIFA World Cup™ matches in 2026,” said Chris Canetti, Harris County – Houston Sports Authority Executive and President of the Houston 2026 World Cup Host Committee. “This is the most popular and prestigious sporting event in the world, and these matches will put our community on the global stage. Receiving the schedule is a critical part of the planning process as we prepare for 2026.”  

Janis Burke, CEO of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority, added: “We began preparing for a FIFA World Cup bid many, many years ago, and it is exciting to finally watch today’s announcement. Houston is an international city with the most diverse population in the United States, so all nations will feel welcome when their fans arrive. Houston residents will show up in a big way to watch every match we host. This will be the largest economic boost the region has ever seen through a hosted sporting event. Because of this, we will be intricately connected with our sports tourism community as well as our local businesses throughout the next two years to maximize the tournament’s impact and legacy.” 

The match schedule announcement included host city match allocations for the 104 games of the tournament in 2026, as well as the locations of key matches, including the biggest showpiece match, the FIFA World Cup 26™ Final at New York New Jersey, on Sunday, July 19, 2026.  

“I am thrilled to hear that FIFA has unveiled the game schedule for the 2026 World Cup, including the soccer matches that will be played in the City of Houston,” Mayor John Whitmire said. “Hosting such a prestigious event will provide an incredible opportunity for our city to showcase its culture, hospitality, and infrastructure on a global stage. We are committed to working closely with FIFA to ensure that all preparations are in place to welcome the world and provide an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and visitors.” 

“Hosting 7 FIFA World Cup 26™ matches will put the world’s eyes on Houston and on Harris County’s NRG Stadium. As always, I know our community will be ready to welcome the visitors from all around the globe and show everyone what a great place Houston and Harris County is. I can’t wait for these matches and all it will bring to our region,” said Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo. 

Media assets from today’s announcement will be uploaded as they become available. To access, click here.  

In addition to being the largest edition to date, the FIFA World Cup 26™ will also be the most inclusive FIFA World Cup™ ever. Alongside the tournament’s record number of teams and players, over five million fans and hospitality guests will have the opportunity to experience the world’s game in stadiums across North America. Fans can start pre-registering for FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket information at fifa.com/tickets. Pre-registrations for hospitality package information are also available on FIFA.com/hospitality.