FIFA men's World Cup 2026

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⚽️ World Cup countdown begins

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios World Cup organizers are hitting the final stretch, with games starting next week, Axios' Shafaq Patel and Abbey Higginbotham report. 11 U.S. cities will host 78 matches — making the tournament a global showcase and a massive stress test for transit, security, tourism and infrastructure. 📣 Each city is transforming public spaces into fan zones. Philadelphia is running a fan festival throughout the tournament's 39-day run. Other cities are opting for shorter stretches, citing steep costs. 🍻 Some towns are extending alcohol sales for the expected late-night crowds. Select Philly bars can apply for permits to stay open until 4 a.m. Kansas City is letting some businesses serve until 5 a.m. Aerial view of Seattle Stadium, temporarily renamed from Lumen Field, ahead of the World Cup. Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images 🤬 Transit pricing has sparked outrage in some host cities. MetLife Stadium, awkwardly rebranded to New York New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup, eliminated public parking to enforce a transit-only layout. The stadium — in East Rutherford, N.J. — will host the World Cup Final on July 19. Transit prices initially spiked to over $150. Severe blowback forced local officials to subsidize the routes. 🇲🇽🇿🇦 What's next: The tournament opens June 11 in Mexico City, with the host nation taking on South Africa. The first U.S. match follows June 12, against Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif. Go deeper.