USMNT’s Homecoming: SoFi Stadium to Host 2026 World Cup Opener

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The U.S. men's national soccer team is set to kick off their 2026 World Cup journey at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a Los Angeles suburb. This marks a significant moment for the team, as it will be their first World Cup match on home turf since 1994.

SoFi Stadium secured the hosting rights for the USMNT during FIFA's recent announcement of the 2026 World Cup sites. The opening match is scheduled for June 12, making it the starting point for the World Cup's events in the U.S. Following this, the team will play their second group stage match at Seattle's Lumen Field on June 19, before returning to Southern California to conclude the group stage on June 25.

The group stage schedule is designed to provide ample recovery time for the team, with strategically spaced matches and minimal travel. Head coach Gregg Berhalter emphasized the importance of minimizing travel to enhance the team's performance, acknowledging the challenges posed by long flights and time zone shifts.

Berhalter anticipates using the Los Angeles area as a base camp during the group stage, with a brief trip to Seattle for the match in the Pacific Northwest. Additionally, before the tournament kicks off, the team is expected to spend time at U.S. Soccer's national training center in Atlanta, currently under construction but set to open before the 2026 World Cup.

The return of the World Cup to North America after 32 years, since the U.S. hosted it in 1994, holds significant importance for U.S. Soccer. The 2026 event is seen as a pivotal moment in showcasing the progress of soccer in the country and boosting its popularity. Berhalter sees the tournament as an opportunity to set a new benchmark for the U.S. men's team, surpassing the achievements of the 1994 team that reached the round of 16.

While the USMNT's plans for 2026 are not finalized, Berhalter expects the team to use the Los Angeles area as their base during the group stage, with a brief trip to Seattle. The coach emphasized that the objective is to perform well, make the nation proud, and elevate the status of soccer in America.

The 2026 World Cup will feature 48 teams, a significant increase from the 32 teams in the 2022 edition. The competition kicks off on June 11 at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca and concludes on July 19 with the final.

Below is a list of host venues and key dates for the 2026 World Cup, along with the USMNT's group stage schedule:

2026 World Cup Venues:

- Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City

- AT&T Stadium, Dallas

- Gillette Stadium, Boston

- Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

- Levi's Stadium, San Francisco Bay Area

- Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

- Lumen Field, Seattle

- Mercedes Benz Arena, Atlanta

- MetLife Stadium, New York/New Jersey

- NRG Stadium, Houston

- SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles

Mexico:

- Estadio Akron, Guadalajara

- Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

- Estadio BBVA, Monterrey

Canada:

- BC Place, Vancouver

- BMO Field, Toronto

2026 World Cup Key Dates and Venues:

- June 11: World Cup opening game and Mexico's first game, Mexico City

- June 12: Canada's first game, Toronto

- June 12: USMNT's first game, Los Angeles

- June 28 to July 3: round of 32 matches in all host cities except Dallas, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia

- July 4 to July 7: round of 16 hosted in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Mexico City, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Vancouver

- July 9 to 11: hosted in Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Miami

- July 14: semifinal one, Dallas

- July 15: semifinal two, Atlanta

- July 18: third place play-off, Miami

- July 19: final, New York/New Jersey

USMNT's Group Stage Schedule:

- June 12: Los Angeles

- June 19: Seattle

- June 25: Los Angeles