{"id":3174,"date":"2025-11-25T15:02:48","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:02:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.collect.fifa.com\/?p=3174"},"modified":"2025-11-25T15:03:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T15:03:36","slug":"fifa-world-cup-26-in-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/fifa-world-cup-26-in-houston\/","title":{"rendered":"FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 in Houston"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1302px;margin-left: calc(-5% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-5% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:2.375%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:2.375%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:2.375%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:2.375%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:2.375%;--awb-spacing-left-small:2.375%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Houston\u2019s global football\u00a0moment\u00a0is set. In 2026, the tournament comes to Houston Stadium, bringing seven FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 matches to the Bayou City.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">America\u2019s fourth\u2011largest city blends world\u2011class sports infrastructure with a diverse, welcoming culture shaped by more than 145 languages, a dynamic food scene, and a thriving arts district.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">From the energy of Downtown and East Downtown (EaDo) to the Museum District and the leafy boulevards around Rice University and Hermann Park, visitors can move easily between matchdays and must\u2011see attractions like Space Center Houston, Buffalo Bayou Park, and the Theater District.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For official host\u2011city news and visitor information, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fwc26houston.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Houston Host Committee<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">What matches will be played in Houston?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Houston Stadium will host seven FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 matches across the Group Stage and Knockout Phase. Exact pairings and kick\u2011off times will be assigned by FIFA following the draw and\u00a0subsequent\u00a0scheduling updates.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here\u2019s\u00a0the FIFA World Cup 26 match schedule for Houston:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sunday, June 14, 2026 \u2014 Group Stage (Match 10)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Wednesday, June 17, 2026 \u2014 Group Stage (Match 23)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Saturday, June 20, 2026 \u2014 Group Stage (Match 35)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Tuesday, June 23, 2026 \u2014 Group Stage (Match 47)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Friday, June 26, 2026 \u2014 Group Stage (Match 65)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"6\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Monday, June 29, 2026 \u2014 Round of 32 (Match 76)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:&#091;8226&#093;,&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"7\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Saturday, July 4, 2026 \u2014 Round of 16 (Match 90)<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335551550&quot;:0,&quot;335551620&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">When will we know\u00a0who\u2019s\u00a0playing in Houston?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Clarity arrives after the Official Final Draw on Friday, December 5, 2025, in Washington, DC (12:00 local). FIFA will publish groupings and venue assignments on its official channels <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.fifa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fifa.com\/fifaplus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Is this the first time the World Cup\u00a0comes\u00a0to Houston?<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:160,&quot;335559739&quot;:80}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element \" style=\"--awb-caption-title-font-family:var(--h2_typography-font-family);--awb-caption-title-font-weight:var(--h2_typography-font-weight);--awb-caption-title-font-style:var(--h2_typography-font-style);--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h2_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h2_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h2_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h2_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" alt=\"Panoramic view of downtown Houston skyline with tall skyscrapers and green trees in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky.\" title=\"Downtown Houston Skyline with Lush Greenery in the Foreground\" src=\"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown-1024x512.jpg\" class=\"lazyload img-responsive wp-image-3175\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27600%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201200%20600%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271200%27%20height%3D%27600%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown-200x100.jpg 200w, https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown-400x200.jpg 400w, https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown-800x400.jpg 800w, https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/houston-downtown.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Yes, Houston did not host matches at USA 1994. In 2026, the city steps onto the global stage with a robust slate, including knockout ties at Houston Stadium. Local host\u2011city context will be posted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fwc26houston.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In Texas, new historic moments will be born at the FIFA World Cup as in 1994, with the Nigerian star Rashidi Yekini\u2019s legendary 1994 celebration at the Cotton Bowl against Bulgaria. You can find this collectible on the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/marketplace\/US_M12\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">FIFA Collect marketplace<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">A closer look at Houston Stadium\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Houston Stadium is a modern, climate\u2011controlled bowl configured for international football with a fully retractable roof, ideal for summer matchdays. For FIFA World Cup 26\u2122, the official tournament capacity is 68,311 (configurable to around 72,000 for other large events). The venue has staged major events including Super Bowls XXXVIII (2004) and LI (2017), the NCAA Men\u2019s Final Four (2016 and 2023), Copa Am\u00e9rica Centenario matches, multiple Concacaf Gold Cup fixtures, and marquee international friendlies. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fwc26houston.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Venue and host\u2011city information will be shared<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Want the latest on Houston Stadium matchdays for World Cup 26\u2122?\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Stay updated on Final Draw outcomes, match assignments, and schedules through <a href=\"https:\/\/inside.fifa.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FIFA\u2019s official communications<\/a> t<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">rack local announcements, city programming, and visitor guidance via the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fwc26houston.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Houston Host City site<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For more stories, insights, and curiosities about other stadiums of the FIFA World Cup 26, visit the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">FIFA Collect blog<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Houston\u2019s global football moment is set. In 2026, the tournament comes to Houston Stadium, bringing seven FIFA World Cup 26\u2122 matches to the Bayou City.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3176,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[114],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-en"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3174"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3174\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3178,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3174\/revisions\/3178"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3176"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/collect.fifa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}