Gillette Stadium to host seven World Cup 26 games
FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, announced on Sunday the dates for the seven World Cup 26 matches that will be held at Gillette Stadium that includes a quarterfinal game.
There will be 14 national teams that will take the pitch from between June 13 and July 9, 2026 as part of World Cup 26 in Boston. The first five dates involved Group Stage matches and the sixth on Monday, June 29, will be in the Round of 32. The quarterfinal round will be played on Thursday, July 9.
“Today mark an exciting moment as the FIFA World Cup returns to Boston with seven matches played in Boston,” said Mike Loynd, President of Boston Soccer 26. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to bring our community together in celebration of the world’s most popular sport.”
The World Cup 26 tournament, in its totality, will consist of 104 matches involving 48 national teams in 16 host cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The FIFA World Cup will be played out for the fourth time in the United States and the second in the men’s competition. FIFA brought the women’s World Cup to the United States in 1999 and 2003.
Boston was a host city in 1994 with six matches played at the old Foxboro Stadium. The highlight of the meet was in the quarterfinal round when eventual runner-up Italy defeated Spain, 2-1, to earn a spot in the semifinals. There were 53.400 fans packed into the old barn on Route 1 for the game.
The popularity of the 1994 World Cup, that played at venues across the United States, aided in the creation of Major League Soccer, which went online in 1996. The New England Revolution are an original MLS franchise.
“We are ecstatic with today’s news that Greater Boston will be hosting seven FIFA World Cup matches in the summer of 2026,” said Martha Sheridan, President & CEO of Meet Boston.
“This is the most iconic and impactful sporting event on the planet, putting our destination on the global stage while injecting hundreds of millions of dollars into our regional visitor economy.”
Kraft Sports & Entertainment has been expanding Gillette Stadium’s use as a sports venue beyond hosting New England Patriots and Revolution home games. Gillette Stadium made college football history on Dec. 9 when it hosted the 124th ArmyNavy game before a soldout crowd. It was the first Army Navy game to be played in Massachusetts and third outside the MidAtlantic region.
“Massachusetts is thrilled to welcome the many thousands of fans and visitors from around the world to our great state in the summer of 2026 for a truly unforgettable event,” said Mass. Governor Maura Healey, who was also involved with the Army-Navy game.