The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the biggest tournament in football history — with 48 teams and 104 matches. While many iconic stadiums are being repurposed for the event, a few are being built or rebuilt specifically to shine in 2026.
Here are 5 stadiums that are either brand-new or undergoing complete reconstruction for the World Cup stage.
1. FIFA World Cup Stadium Guadalajara (Estadio JVC Rebuild) – Mexico
- 📍 Location: Guadalajara, Mexico
- 🏗️ Type: Total rebuild of Estadio Akron (JVC)
- 🧱 Status: Under major reconstruction
- 🧑🤝🧑 Capacity: 48,000 → 55,000+
Chivas Guadalajara’s home is getting a full-scale modernization with increased capacity, upgraded roof coverage, and improved fan flow. Designed to meet FIFA 2026 standards, the stadium will become a key venue in Mexico’s hosting legacy.
2. Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, USA (Massive Renovation)
- 📍 Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- 🛠️ Type: Heavy renovation with World Cup-specific upgrades
- 🧑🤝🧑 Capacity: 76,000
Though not a brand-new stadium, Arrowhead is undergoing one of the most comprehensive retrofits in the USA to prepare for the World Cup. From locker rooms to media centers and crowd control systems, everything is being redesigned to FIFA standards.
3. BC Place Expansion – Vancouver, Canada
- 📍 Location: Vancouver, Canada
- 🧱 Type: Upgraded roof, pitch and fan facilities
- 🧑🤝🧑 Capacity: 54,500
BC Place will host World Cup games in Canada, and while the stadium exists, its upgrades are directly tied to 2026. This includes pitch replacement with FIFA-grade natural grass, new lighting systems, and hospitality improvements.
4. Levi’s Stadium Expansion – Santa Clara, USA
- 📍 Location: Santa Clara, California
- 🛠️ Type: Expansion + World Cup-certified upgrades
- 🧑🤝🧑 Capacity: 68,500 → 71,000+
Levi’s Stadium will undergo major upgrades in 2025, including pitch reconstruction to install natural grass, roof modifications, and expanded media & hospitality zones. These changes are happening only because it was selected as a 2026 venue.
5. Estadio Azteca – CDMX, Mexico (Iconic Rebuild)
- 📍 Location: Mexico City
- 🛠️ Type: Historic stadium under a deep modernization project
- 🧑🤝🧑 Capacity: 83,000
Although it’s one of football’s most historic venues, Estadio Azteca is almost being reimagined for 2026. With new VIP zones, accessibility standards, new surrounding infrastructure, and FIFA compliance, it’s a blend of old glory and modern functionality.
A New Standard for Global Tournaments
While most stadiums in 2026 are repurposed NFL venues, these five stand out for the level of construction and ambition specifically aimed at meeting FIFA’s high bar. They represent the next generation of hybrid stadiums — football-ready, fan-friendly, and future-proof.
