Soccer fans are making travel plans as world soccer governing body FIFA announced the stadium sites for the 2026 men’s World Cup on Sunday.
The World Cup final will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026.
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FIFA released the dates and locations for the 104-match tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The US Men’s National Team has group stage matches:
– June 12, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
– June 19, Lumen Field, Seattle
– June 25, SoFi Stadium
The semifinals will be at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on July 14 and at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 15.
Here are the updated 2026 World Cup odds after Sunday’s announcement: *
France +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Brazil +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
England +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Spain +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Germany +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Argentina +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
Portugal +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Netherlands +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Italy +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
United States +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)
Belgium +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)
Uruguay +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Croatia +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Denmark +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
Mexico +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
* = odds as of 2/4/2024
Defending champion Argentina is tied for fourth on the oddsboard at +1000.
Star Lionel Messi, after moving to MLS to play for Inter Miami, has not committed to playing in 2026.
La Albiceleste will return young talent such as Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández. Yes, Messi will be 39 years old next tournament, but coach Lionel Scaloni is just getting started. The big question remains whether or not Leo will be back in 2026. With or without the great Messi, Argentina will still be a force to be reckoned with.
Brazil is another strong favorite to take home the Cup, as they are second on the odds list at +600 to win it all. After being derailed by injuries in 2014, 2018 and 2022, Neymar will be focused on his own Messi-like mid-30s redemption story. Or will he? Neymar himself said his national team future is cloudy. Either way, The Seleção will be loaded, but they need their younger talent to step up to get back on the podium.
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France is the betting favorite to win the World Cup at +500. Les Bleus were one of the youngest teams at the 2022 tournament and boast the best young star in the game in Kylian Mbappe. When you factor in that they had numerous key players out for injury in 2022, it’s no surprise why they are given such great odds when fully healthy. France will take some time to recuperate from this loss but expect them to be right back in the mix in 2026, especially if they have a healthy Mbappe, who should be the favorite to win both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball in 2026.
The USMNT (+2500) has long odds but a lot of things in its favor. Wales and England were played to draws this year, and the Americans will have home-field advantage for the first time since 1994. With record-breaking viewership of the 2022 World Cup, 2026 can be a breakout year for this determined USA side. Undoubtedly, this team needs a striker, but many countries can make that claim. The United States is young, gaining experience, and will have higher expectations than they did in this tournament. Can The Stars and Stripes make a strong showing on home soil? Thankfully, the potential is there for a deep run.
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