FIFA World Cup 2026 Comes to Los Angeles: Everything You Need to Know

Southern California is about to become the center of the soccer universe. The 2026 FIFA World Cup — the largest in the history of the tournament — officially kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and Los Angeles is hosting eight massive matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

The Biggest Tournament in World Cup History

For the first time ever, 48 national teams will compete across 104 matches — making this the grandest World Cup in history. Los Angeles will host eight of those matches, including two U.S. Men's National Team group stage games. The tournament runs from June 11 through July 19, 2026.

USMNT Opens at SoFi Stadium on June 12

The most anticipated moment for American soccer fans arrives on June 12 when the United States Men's National Team faces Paraguay at SoFi Stadium — officially branded as Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament — at 9 p.m. ET. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has assembled one of the most talented American squads in recent memory.

• June 12: USA vs. Paraguay — Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood (9 p.m. ET)
• June 19: USA vs. Australia — Seattle Stadium (3 p.m. ET)
• June 23: USA vs. Morocco — Los Angeles Stadium, Inglewood (9 p.m. ET)

Irvine's Great Park: The USMNT Home Base

Right here in Orange County, the city of Irvine has been chosen as the official training base for the U.S. Men's National Team during the tournament. The Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine — with its 24 world-class soccer pitches and elite athletic facilities — was selected by U.S. Soccer after an extensive evaluation process.

FIFA Fan Festival at LA Memorial Coliseum

Beyond the matches themselves, Los Angeles is hosting the FIFA Fan Festival at the LA Memorial Coliseum at Exposition Park — a massive free outdoor celebration featuring live music, food, cultural activations, and giant screens broadcasting every World Cup match throughout the tournament's 39-day run.

LA Stadium: World Cup Ready

SoFi Stadium — one of the most technologically advanced sports venues on the planet — has been fully transformed to meet FIFA's rigorous standards. The stadium features a stunning translucent roof, a state-of-the-art video board, and a capacity of nearly 100,000 for World Cup matches.

Whether you have tickets to a match, plan to watch at the Fan Festival, or are simply soaking in the World Cup atmosphere across Southern California, this summer is a once-in-a-generation moment for soccer fans in our region. The world is coming to Los Angeles — and we could not be more ready.