The 2026 FIFA World Cup Cities
By Shane Stay
Here you go soccer fans, the 2026 FIFA World Cup map:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the best one ever, literally. I’m looking forward to it. Over a billion—people and maybe well-trained pets—are looking forward to it. Hold on a sec. Let’s just go over a quick little slight thing…It’s just a second, it really won’t be that big-a-deal.
It goes without saying, there’s something interesting with this map. Why’s there only one in the middle? Yeah, right. There’s 3 on the East Coast, where Bob Bradley is sipping tea, Princeton sweater on, with a painting of a yacht on the wall. Listen, listen to me yacht fella, put your tasty beverage down. “What?” Did you say what? Say what again! Say what again! I dare you, I double…And those 3 are right next to each other? Huh? What? You can scratch Boston or Philly from that list, duh. New York, Philly would work. Atlanta, yes. Miami, yes. Dallas and Houston? Pick one. I’d go with Dallas. Seattle, yes. SF, where I owned a restaurant, sure, I guess, it gives me a chance to mention Vine & Barrel. LA, where I grew up—in part—with family, I guess. But let’s go to the middle bit. Just Kansas City? Really? Really??? No Detroit, Chicago, or St. Louis as a second? Oh ok, yeah that makes sense. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, no, I get it: Because St. Louis and Chicago have nothing to do with the history of soccer in America. They really don’t. Everyone knows that. Especially St. Louis, the capitol of soccer in America. Realistically, delete Houston—they might not notice—from the list and add either St. Louis or Chicago. No, I’m not saying this as a native of St. Louis and one who’s lived in Chicago. For argument’s sake, let’s just say I live in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I don’t but just imagine maybe I do…right by the place where Rockefeller had secret UFO meetings. When I buy groceries, I say hi to all the locals. Over there. Even then, I’d still be noticing one in the middle, because…it’s weird. As someone else told me, it’s weird. Only one in the middle?
An example. Just a reminder: Many moons ago, when NCAA DI soccer in America was essentially a pro league, St. Louis University gathered 10 championships, still the record. So, all of it makes sense except for 3 huddled together on the East Coast and 2 in the Lone Star state. Seriously? I would also suggest this: Since Chicago hosted in 1994, have St. Louis and Kansas City host in 2026. Therefore, Houston’s back in the mix. Houston’s back, baby! You like that, Houston? You feel better? But then again, what do I know? I’m just a guy with a picture of Giresse on the wall. Now that’s weird.
You can pre-order your copy of Shane’s new book, Your Guide to the 2026 World Cup
About the Author
Shane Stay is a bestselling author whose books include 100 American Soccer Legends, This Is Our CITY, THE World Cup 2022 Book, The Euro 2020 Book, European Soccer Leagues 2019, Major League Soccer 2019, THE Women’s World Cup 2019 Book, THE World Cup 2018 Book, Why American Soccer Isn’t There Yet, and The Cairo Project. In 2008, he played professional soccer, coauthored a print book, published a magazine story, bottled Leaf Dressing, worked clubs as a comedian, was a restaurateur, and received a Master of Arts from Southern Illinois University. In 1999, he founded the first online Current Events Game (CE Game). He has appeared on TV and has featured on numerous radio broadcasts including ESPN and NPR. He lives in Chicago, Illinois. 