Rumors have been flying faster than a World Cup striker on a breakaway, but let’s set the record straight: the United States is still set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada and Mexico. Despite a flurry of viral social media posts suggesting otherwise, FIFA’s own documentation and press releases confirm that the U.S. remains a central player in what promises to be the most expansive World Cup in history.
On October 8, 2025, FIFA released an official statement reiterating that hosting duties will be shared among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament’s official calendar, available on FIFA’s website, designates 16 host cities, with a whopping 11 of those located across the United States—from the Pacific Northwest’s Seattle to the sunny streets of Miami. And let’s not forget: the grand finale, the World Cup final, is scheduled for July 19, 2026, at New York City’s MetLife Stadium, one of the nation’s largest and most iconic venues.
So, where did the confusion come from? Social media, as it often does, took a few kernels of truth and spun them into a full-blown myth. Posts on platforms like TikTok and Facebook claimed that FIFA was dropping the U.S. as a co-host due to President Donald Trump’s travel bans and immigration policies. Some users even alleged that delegations and fans were fearful of being kicked out by U.S. immigration authorities, and that several countries had threatened to boycott the tournament. But these claims have no basis in reality. FIFA’s most recent communications make no mention of any such move, and the organization’s plans for the tournament remain unchanged.
That’s not to say the road to the World Cup has been entirely smooth. President Trump has made headlines with his own pronouncements, threatening to move games away from cities he considers “unsafe,” such as Seattle and San Francisco. During a press conference on September 26, Trump stated, “[Seattle and San Francisco are] run by radical left lunatics who don't know what they're doing. But we’re going to make sure they’re safe … If I think [a city] is not safe, we're going to move it out of that city.” Seven of the 11 U.S. host cities are led by liberal mayors, and these cities are banking on the economic windfall the tournament is expected to bring—Seattle alone anticipates over 750,000 visitors and nearly $930 million in benefits.
FIFA, for its part, has been quick to remind everyone who’s really in charge. Victor Montagliani, FIFA’s vice president, addressed the issue during a conference in London on October 1, 2025: “It's FIFA's tournament, FIFA's jurisdiction, FIFA makes those decisions. With all due respect to current world leaders, football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their government and their slogans. That's the beauty of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”
Amid the political noise, preparations for the tournament are ramping up in every direction. The 2026 World Cup will be historic for several reasons: it’s the first to feature 48 teams (up from 32 in Qatar), and the first ever to be hosted by three nations. The action kicks off on June 11, 2026, in Mexico’s legendary Azteca Stadium, before winding its way through 104 matches across North America and culminating in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Fans eager to catch the action live are already getting creative. Starting Monday, October 13, 2025, American Airlines AAdvantage members can redeem their frequent-flyer miles for tickets to all 104 matches. Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members get first dibs, followed by Gold, Platinum, and Platinum Pro members, and then all AAdvantage members. Houston’s NRG Stadium, for example, will host seven matches—including five group stage games and two knockout rounds. Tickets start at 75,000 miles for group stage matches (about $975 in value) and climb to 95,000 miles for a Round of 16 game (roughly $1,235). American Airlines is even running a sweepstakes for coveted tickets to the World Cup Final in New Jersey, and more ticket opportunities will open up after the group-stage draw on December 5, 2025.
Speaking of the draw, anticipation is building as the 48 qualified nations await their group-stage fate. The draw will take place at 12pm local time on Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.—with President Trump expected to make an appearance. The draw will divide the teams into 12 groups of four, based on FIFA rankings and host status. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, will move on to the knockout rounds. With 78 matches scheduled in the U.S. alone, American fans are in for a feast of world-class soccer.
On the pitch, teams are fine-tuning their strategies. The U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) is set to face Australia in a friendly match on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Both squads have already secured their spots in the 2026 World Cup, making this a prime opportunity to test lineups and build momentum. The USMNT’s recent form has been a mixed bag—two wins, two losses, and a draw in their last five outings, including a 1-1 draw against Ecuador. Australia, meanwhile, comes into the match with a win over Canada and a solid track record in recent qualifiers. These friendlies may not count for points, but they certainly matter for morale and preparation.
Off the field, security is a mounting concern. The Trump administration recently unveiled a $500 million federal program to help state and local governments beef up their drone defenses ahead of the World Cup. With 104 matches to safeguard and millions of fans expected, the initiative aims to equip cities with the technology and legal authority needed to detect and neutralize potential aerial threats. Andrew Giuliani, director of the White House’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force, underscored the urgency: “Everybody from the governors to different commissioners of the police in these different cities to the stadium chief security officer say that this is something that they need in order to protect the [World Cup] sites.”
FIFA’s Chief Safety and Security Officer, G.B. Jones, testified before Congress, emphasizing that “DHS, FBI, the FAA, and the state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement partners who will partner with them during the FIFA World Cup matches must be equipped with the resources and legal frameworks necessary to mitigate drone threats across all venues where airspace security risks are identified.” The U.S., Canada, and Mexico have even held trilateral meetings on counter-drone coordination, recognizing the need for a united front against evolving security challenges.
With the countdown to kickoff well underway, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be a landmark event—one that’s not only rewriting the record books but also testing the mettle of organizers, politicians, and players alike. The United States remains at the heart of it all, ready to welcome the world and, perhaps, showcase the beautiful game at its very best.
