2026 World Cup: Four Takeaways including established stadiums, lofty attendance goals

FIFA officials awarded, for the first time, the World Cup to three countries. The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The decision comes a day before the 2018 FIFA World Cup is set to begin. FIFA has not made a decision on specific hosting cities. These are some of the facts that all Soccer fans should know before the 2026 World Cup begins.

1. North America has top-tier stadium facilities

What really sealed the deal for the three countries to be allowed to host, was the number of already built stadiums ready to hold matches. Mexico City is home to the state-of-the-art Azteca Stadium. Yahoo! Sports says there are 23 venues up for consideration, the bulk being in the United States. The size of the facilities vary, the largest being the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the smallest being the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada. The US has also offered up the L.A. Rose Bowl and the new Los Angeles Rams stadium, which will be open very soon.

2. Potential record-breaking financial windfall

Bid officials believe this will bring in a record-breaking profit. The New York Times reports that there could possibly be an $11 billion profit. The 2014 World Cup brought in a massive $3 billion profit. Bid Chairman Carlos Cordeiro believes at least five million tickets will be sold worldwide. If that becomes a reality, it will be the best-attended tournament in history. The 1994 tournament currently holds the title for best-attended.

3. Three host countries have a successful track record

All three countries have previously hosted FIFA tournaments. Mexico hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986. The US hosted the 1994 World Cup Finals. In 2015, Canada hosted the Women's World Cup and before that the 2007 Under-20 World Cup.

Mexico has been applauded for hosting what is seen as the two best tournaments in FIFA history. The US received praise after hosting the 1994 finals.

4. 2026 'Unity Bid'

Part of this bid was the attempt at building unity between the three countries. FIFA has already awarded games to each country. A majority of the matches will be played in America. Both Mexico and Canda will be home to 10 matches. FIFA working to schedule an opening day match for each host nation. FIFA has not announced where the opening match will be, but it is expected to be played in Los Angeles or Mexico City.

No matter what happens, this will be a historic World Cup. For the first time in FIFA history, three nations will host the popular tournament.