FIFA World Cup Final: MetLife Stadium Joins List of Venues to Host Football’s Biggest Match in 2026

Football's world governing body announced on Sunday that MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host the 2026 World Cup Final.

Sports Brief looks at the venues that previously hosted the FIFA World Cup Final.

FIFA World Cup Final venues

1930 (Uruguay)

Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay, hosted the first-ever FIFA World Cup Final in 1930. Uruguay gave their home fans something to cheer about, beating Argentina 4-2 in the final.

1934 (Italy)

Stadio Nazionale PNF in Rome Italy, hosted the 1934 FIFA World Cup Final. The Italians utilized their home-field advantage, with Azzurri beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the final.

1938 (France)

France hosted the 1938 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and Hungary, with Stade Olympique de Colombes the venue for the championship match. Azzurri successfully defended their title, beating Hungary 4-2 in the final.

1950 (Brazil)

Estádio do Maracanã hosted its first FIFA World Cup Final in 1950, with Uruguay and Brazil locking horns in the storied venue.

Brazil fell short in their bid to win their first-ever World Cup title in front of their home crowd, losing 2-1 to Uruguay in the Decisive Match.

1954 (Switzerland)

The FIFA World Cup returned to Europe in 1954, with Switzerland hosting the event. The final was staged at Wankdork Stadium in Bern, with West Germany beating Hungary 3-2 in the championship match.

1958 (Sweden)

Rasunda Stadium in Solna (Stockholm), Sweden, hosted the 1958 FIFA World Cup Final.

Sweden fell short in their bid to win their first-ever World Cup title in front of their home fans, losing 5-2 to Brazil in the final.

1962 (Chile)

Chile hosted the 1962 FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Czechoslovakia, with Estadio Nacional the venue for the championship match.

Brazil successfully defended their title, beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final.

1966 (England)

Wembley Stadium hosted the FIFA World Cup Final in 1966, with England facing West Germany in the championship match.

The Three Lions gave the home fans something to cheer about, beating the West Germans 4-2 in the final.

1970 (Mexico)

Estádio Azteca hosted its first FIFA World Cup Final in 1970, with powerhouse teams Brazil and Italy locking horns in the storied venue.

The Brazilians continued their dominance in this event, winning their third World Cup in the last four editions with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over the Azzurri.

1974 (West Germany)

The FIFA World Cup returned to Europe in 1974, with West Germany hosting the event. The final was staged at the Olympiastadion in Munich, with the hosts beating the Netherlands 2-1 in the championship match.

1978 (Argentina)

Estadio Monumental played host to the 1978 FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and the Netherlands. The home fans did their part in the final, with La Albiceleste beating the Dutch 3-1 to lift their first World Cup title.

1982 (Spain)

Real Madrid's home stadium, Santiago Bernabeu, hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup Final between Italy and West Germany. Azzurri captured the title for the third time, beating West Germany 3-1 in the championship match.

1986 (Mexico)

Estádio Azteca hosted its second FIFA World Cup Final in 1986, with powerhouse teams Argentina and West Germany squaring off in the historic venue.

La Albiceleste continued their dominance in this event, winning their second World Cup in the last three editions with a thrilling 3-2 victory over West Germany.

1990 (Italy)

Italy hosted the FIFA World Cup for the second time in 1990, with Stadio Olimpico hosting the final this time around. West Germany claimed another title, beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.

1994 (United States)

The United States of America hosted the FIFA World Cup for the first time in 1994. They staged the final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, with Brazil beating Italy in a penalty shootout in that contest.

1998 (France)

France hosted the FIFA World Cup for the second time in 1998, with Stade de France hosting the final this time around. The hosts claimed their first World Cup title, beating Brazil 3-0 in the final.

2002 (Japan)

The FIFA World Cup was staged in Asia for the first time in 2002, with the games played in Japan and South Korea. The final was staged in Yokohama, Japan, with Brazil beating Germany 2-0 at the International Stadium.

2006 (Germany)

The FIFA World Cup returned to Germany in 2006, with the final staged at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. It was Italy, who won the title that year, beating France in a penalty shootout.

2010 (South Africa)

The FIFA World Cup was staged in Africa for the first time in 2002, with the games played in South Africa. The final was staged in Johannesburg, with Spain beating the Netherlands 1-0 at Soccer City.

2014 (Brazil)

Estádio do Maracanã hosted its second FIFA World Cup Final in 2014, with powerhouse teams Argentina and Germany squaring off in the historic venue.

The Germans denied Lionel Messi his first World Cup title, beating Argentina 1-0 in the final.

2018 (Russia)

Luzhniki Stadium hosted the FIFA World Cup Final in 2018, with France facing Croatia in the championship match in Russia.

2022 (Qatar)

Lusail Iconic Stadium in Qatar hosted arguably the greatest World Cup Final in history in 2022. Argentina and France each scored three goals in regulation and extra time to send the match into a penalty shootout, per The Guardian.

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La Albiceleste held their nerve in the shootout, with Messi finally winning the World Cup title.

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