The FIFA World Cup 2026 Bay Area schedule includes five group-stage matches and one knockout-round game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, which will be called San Francisco Bay Area Stadium during the tournament. The Bay Area will host matches from Saturday, June 13, 2026, through Wednesday, July 1, 2026, giving Northern California soccer fans six chances to watch World Cup action in person. The venue is one of 16 host stadiums ac

The FIFA World Cup in Dallas begins on Sunday, June 14, 2026, when Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas, hosts Netherlands vs. Japan at 3:00 PM CT. Dallas will host nine FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, including five group-stage games, two Round of 32 matches, one Round of 16 match and one semifinal. The matches will be played at Dallas Stadium, the tournament name for AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The venue is one of the most important U.S. stadiums in the 2026 World Cup schedule, with games run

FIFA is racing to finalize 2026 FIFA World Cup TV rights in China and India, with broadcast deals still unresolved less than a month before the tournament begins on Thursday, June 11, 2026. The delay matters because China and India represent two of the world’s largest sports audiences. Without final agreements, millions of football fans could face uncertainty over where to watch the tournament. China CCTV Talks Move Forward Senior FIFA offici

Bay Area World Cup Security Plans Intensify Bay Area World Cup security preparations are accelerating as officials warn that the 2026 FIFA World Cup could bring serious drone, cyberattack and crowd-safety risks to Santa Clara. Six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are scheduled in Santa Clara, drawing massive crowds, international visitors and high-profile guests. Officials said the scale of the event has pushed federal, state and local agencies into a faster,

MetLife Stadium Begins World Cup 2026 Grass Upgrade MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is installing natural grass ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, a required move before the New Jersey venue hosts global soccer matches. The upgrade replaces the stadium’s artificial turf with a FIFA-compliant grass surface, giving players the natural pitch conditions required for World Cup games. Why FIFA Requires Natural Grass F

Trump Challenges World Cup Ticket Prices World Cup tickets are facing fresh political pressure after President Donald Trump questioned whether ordinary fans can afford 2026 FIFA World Cup seats as resale prices surge. Trump said he would not pay reported four-figure opening-match prices, sharpening scrutiny on FIFA’s pricing model and the secondary resale market. His comments come as FIFA president Gianni Infantino defends dynamic pricing, saying deman

FIFA confirmed Iran will play in the 2026 World Cup despite tensions with the U.S. Officials rejected relocation or replacement ideas. Iran missed the FIFA Congress after a Canada entry issue but remains set to compete in Group G. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has reaffirmed that Iran will participate in the

A proposal suggesting that Iran be replaced by Italy in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 has drawn attention amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the United States and Iran. The tournament, scheduled to be held primarily in the United States, is already under scrutiny due to the broader geopolitical climate, which could impact participation and logistics. The suggestion reportedly came from Paolo Zampolli, a senior envoy connected to U.S. President Donald Trump. He is said to ha

The first open sale of tickets for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has revealed sharply increased prices, with some seats for the final reaching as high as $10,990, making them among the most expensive in football history. The tournament, set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is already drawing attention not only for its expanded format but also for rising costs faced by fans. Initial projections in the tournament bid suggested final tickets would peak at around $1,

Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma expressed deep disappointment after the national team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking their third consecutive absence from the tournament. The decisive loss came on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, when Italy drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina before losing 4-1 in a penalty shootout during the play-off final. Donnarumma, who made several key saves during the match, was unable to stop any penalties as Italy’s hopes ended in heartbreak. Following the match, he admitted to being emotionally overwhelmed, saying he felt immense sadness at not being able to lead his country to the World Cup. The defeat has intensified criticism of Italian football leadership, with calls for structural changes growing louder. Italy’s continued struggles highlight a significant decline for a nation that last lifted the World Cup in 2006. Despite the setback, Donnarumma emphasized the need for resilience and unity, stating that rebuilding the team will require strength, passion, and belief.      

he lineup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now complete, marking a historic expansion to 48 teams for the first time. The tournament will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from Thursday, June 11, 2026, to Sunday, July 19, 2026. The final qualifying spots were secured on Monday, March 31, 2026, following a long qualification process that began in September 2023 and included teams from six global confederations. DR Congo and Iraq were among the last nations to conf

India national football team have climbed five spots in the latest FIFA rankings, moving from 141st to 136th after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hong Kong national football team in their final match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qua

The Dallas Police Department is preparing for a significant surge in international visitors as the city gears up to host multiple matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, supported by a substantial increase in federal funding aimed at strengthening security operations. City officials confirmed that Dallas has been awarded $51.5 million in federal assistance, with a large portion allocated directly to policing and safety measures. Police Chief David Comeaux said the department will re

Iran’s football team may not compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

At least 11 people were killed and 12 others seriously injured following an armed attack at a football field in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, according to local authorities. The shooting occurred in the municipality of Salamanca, where gunmen opened fire on people gathered at the sports facility, triggering a large-scale security response. Municipal officials confirmed that 10 victims died at the scene, while another person later succumbed to injuries after being transpor

The United States has begun implementing a new visa facilitation programme known as FIFA Pass as part of its preparations for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The initiative is designed to help international football fans secure visa interview appointments more quickly as demand for travel to the tournament is expected to surge in the months leading up to kickoff. According to US officials, FIFA Pass is intended to reduce long wait times for non-immigrant visas by prioritising inter

President Donald Trump has introduced a new fast-track visa system called the “FIFA Pass” for international fans attending the 2026 World Cup in the United States. Announced at the Oval Office alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, the scheme offers ticket holders a prioritized visa appointment to ensure smoother travel ahead of the massive tournament. The US expects between five and ten million visitors, making streamlined entry a major focus for the administration. Despite

FIFA will host the official draws for the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs in Zurich on November 20, setting the stage for determining the final six teams to join the 48-nation tournament. The expanded format, featuring teams from across the globe, has intensified the competition as countries battle for the remaining coveted spots. The European playoff round will feature 16 teams, including football giants like Italy, divided into four brackets. Each bracket will feature single-le

The highly anticipated launch of ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup has begun, offering soccer fans their first chance to secure seats for the tournament that will take place across North America next summer. The first wave of sales opened with a Visa presale at 11 a.m., giving cardholders priority access to select matches. Prices for group-stage tickets begin at $60, making some matches relatively affordable for fans. However, at the other end of the scale, tickets for the final match a

Arlington, Texas is moving forward with extensive plans to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the city council has outlined how it intends to balance security, community engagement, and business opportunities during the tournament. With the event set to bring thousands of international visitors to North Texas, the city is bracing for what is expected to be one of its most significant sporting and cultural experiences in recent history. Officials estimate that most inte