MetLife Stadium is the marquee venue of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. East Rutherford, New Jersey hosts 8 matches in total: 5 group-stage games featuring Brazil, France, Germany and England, plus a Round of 32 and Round of 16 knockout — and the championship match itself, the FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

FIFA refers to the venue as 'New York New Jersey Stadium' during the tournament, with branded MetLife signage covered or removed for sponsorship reasons. The stadium has been modified for the World Cup, with 1,740 corner seats removed to widen the field to FIFA standards.

Stadium quick facts

TOTAL MATCHES 8	CAPACITY 82,500
LOCATION East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA	FIFA NAME New York New Jersey Stadium
OPENED 2010	ROOF Open-air
SURFACE Natural grass (laid for the World Cup over the standard FieldTurf)	HOME TEAM(S) New York Giants & New York Jets (NFL)

MetLife Stadium World Cup 2026 schedule

Date	Kickoff	Match	Round / Group
Sat, Jun 13	6:00 PM ET	Brazil vs Morocco	Group C
Tue, Jun 16	3:00 PM ET	France vs Senegal	Group I
Mon, Jun 22	8:00 PM ET	Norway vs Senegal	Group I
Thu, Jun 25	4:00 PM ET	Ecuador vs Germany	Group E
Sat, Jun 27	5:00 PM ET	Panama vs England	Group L
Tue, Jun 30	5:00 PM ET	Round of 32 Match	Group I winner vs Best 3rd place
Sun, Jul 5	4:00 PM ET	Round of 16 Match	TBD
Sun, Jul 19	3:00 PM ET	FIFA World Cup Final	Tournament-deciding match

Key matches to watch at MetLife Stadium

The marquee group-stage match at MetLife is Brazil vs Morocco — a 2022 semifinal-rematch storyline drawing massive global interest. France vs Senegal carries history from the 2002 World Cup opener that Senegal famously won 1-0. Panama vs England is England's likely group-deciding game in Group L.

Knockout-stage coverage

MetLife is the only stadium in the tournament hosting both a Round of 16 match AND the Final, making it the venue with the most knockout-stage prestige. The July 19 Final kicks off at 3:00 PM ET — prime time for European (8 PM BST / 9 PM CEST) and South American (4 PM BRT) audiences.

How to get to MetLife Stadium

From New York City: NJ Transit train from Penn Station to Secaucus Junction, then a Meadowlands rail shuttle directly to the stadium (40 minutes total). NJ Transit announced special-event train tickets at $105 each way (reduced from $150 in May 2026 thanks to sponsorship offsets). Buses from Penn Station to MetLife are $80 each way. Driving is strongly discouraged — match-day traffic adds 60-90 minutes and parking is restricted.

Travel tip

Insider tip: If you're attending the Final, book accommodation in Secaucus, Jersey City or Hoboken rather than Manhattan. You'll save 30-50% on hotel rates and shave 30+ minutes off your match-day commute.

Stadium history

MetLife Stadium opened in 2010 as the home of the New York Giants and Jets. Before the World Cup, its biggest sporting moment was Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014 (Seahawks vs Broncos). It has hosted Copa América matches in 2016 and the 2024 Copa América Final (Argentina vs Colombia). Selected as the World Cup Final host on February 4, 2024.

MetLife was a surprise pick for the Final — AT&T Stadium in Dallas had been favored due to its higher capacity. SoFi Stadium was eliminated when its narrow field couldn't be widened to FIFA dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Cup 2026 matches are at MetLife Stadium?

MetLife Stadium hosts 8 matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — 5 group-stage matches, a Round of 32 match on June 30, a Round of 16 match on July 5, and the World Cup Final on July 19, 2026.

When is the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Kickoff is 3:00 PM Eastern Time (8:00 PM BST in the UK, 9:00 PM CEST in Europe, 4:00 PM BRT in Brazil).

What is the capacity of MetLife Stadium for the World Cup?

MetLife Stadium's capacity for the 2026 World Cup is 82,500. To meet FIFA pitch requirements, 1,740 seats in the corners were removed to widen the field. It is the largest venue in the tournament.

Why is MetLife Stadium called New York New Jersey Stadium during the World Cup?

FIFA's sponsorship policy requires that branded venue names be removed during the tournament. MetLife Stadium is officially referred to as 'New York New Jersey Stadium' (NYNJ Stadium) for all FIFA broadcasts, signage, and ticketing.

How do I get to MetLife Stadium from New York City for the World Cup?

The best option is the NJ Transit train from Penn Station in Manhattan to Secaucus Junction, then the Meadowlands rail shuttle to the stadium. Total journey: about 40 minutes. World Cup tickets are $105 each way. Buses from Penn Station are $80. Driving is discouraged due to heavy traffic and parking restrictions.

What teams play at MetLife Stadium during the World Cup?

The 2026 World Cup teams playing at MetLife Stadium include Brazil, Morocco, France, Senegal, Norway, Ecuador, Germany, Panama, and England in group-stage matches. The Round of 32, Round of 16, and Final feature TBD teams determined by the bracket.

Is MetLife Stadium hosting the third-place playoff?

No. The third-place playoff is hosted at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 18, 2026. MetLife Stadium hosts the Final the next day on July 19.

What was MetLife Stadium's name during the 2024 Copa América?

MetLife Stadium retained its standard name during the 2024 Copa América Final. The 'New York New Jersey Stadium' branding is specific to FIFA tournaments and is not used for other competitions held at the venue.

 See Also: Estadio Azteca World Cup 2026 Matches: Schedule, Capacity & Tournament Opener

Last updated May 10, 2026. Match details and kickoff times are based on FIFA's confirmed schedule. Knockout stage matches will be updated as teams advance.