The FIFA 2026 World Cup is two years away, with Canada, Mexico and the USA as the hosts, but will the Super Eagles make it to the tournament?
The Super Eagles have already started the race to be at the 2026 tournament, but not on a good note. They drew their first two games and are third in the group behind Rwanda and South Africa.
On Sunday evening, the 2026 World Cup schedule was revealed by FIFA, with a few exciting things to note.
However, the Super Eagles will not know their location until they qualify and the draws are concluded.
Super Eagles learn World Cup final location
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted for the first time by three countries and will be the largest in the competition's history.
It will involve 48 countries, an increase from the previous 32 nations that participated.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the last edition after being kicked out by Ghana, but they need to up their game to be part of the spectacle scheduled for North America.
16 host cities were chosen for the tournament, which will be the first held in North America since 1994. In total, will be 104 matches played as national teams from across the world vie for victory.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup schedule. I’m not fond of having the final be held at MetLife stadium. Dallas would’ve been the preferred choice, but I can probably understand that New York/New Jersey offer better travel accommodation as oppose to AT&T being right next to the freeway. pic.twitter.com/kZuIir2emF
— Dima Morocco11 (@DimaMorocco11) February 4, 2024
Before the announcement of the schedule, three centres were rumoured to host the final. Dallas, Los Angeles and New York were all favourites for the prestigious right.
The New York, New Jersey Stadium and not MetLife will host the World Cup final. The stadium is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey and was opened in 2010 and has a capacity of 82,500.
The US last hosted the World Cup in 1994, and Brazil won it. Argentina were the 2022 winners, while France won the 2018 edition.
The Super Eagles have never gone beyond the Round of 16 at the World Cup.
The FIFA 2026 World Cup complete schedule
The opening game of the World Cup will be played in Mexico at the same venue that played host to the 1986 final. Argentina won their second World Cup at the venue with a 3-2 victory over West Germany.
Other centres to host games include Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Canada will not miss out on the party. While Mexico has three cities hosting games, Canada gets two, and the honour of the first-ever men's World Cup game in the country goes to Toronto, while Vancouver picks up the other slot.
Toronto will host five group games, including Canada's first match on June 12, 2026.
World Cup Schedule
June 11-27: Group stage. Vancouver. Toronto, Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Seattle, San Francisco. Los Angeles, Houston. Dallas, Kansas City, Atlanta. Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey
June 29-July 3: Round of 32. All host cities except Guadalajara and Philadelphia. Los Angeles and Dallas host two.
July 4-7: Round of 16, with matches in Vancouver, Seattle, Mexico City, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey.
July 9-11: Quarter-finals, in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Miami and Boston.
Dallas is shining in the global spotlight as FIFA announces the @FIFAWorldCup 26™ Semi-Final will be played at @ATTStadium in the city of Arlington!
🇨🇦🇺🇸🇲🇽#WeAre26 l #WeAreDallas pic.twitter.com/wjwRyKn7Dj
— FIFA World Cup 26™ Dallas (@FWC26Dallas) February 4, 2024
July 14-15: Semi-finals, in Dallas and Atlanta, rounding out an all-US quarter and semis schedule.
July 18: Third place play-off, held in Miami.
July 19: Final, held in New York/New Jersey, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
So, the die is cast, and the Super Eagles know their likely destinations if they qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
This article was most recently revised and updated 7 months ago
